Mary Jean Baird Lindhardt

Mary Jean Baird Lindhardt, a cherished wife, loving mother, devoted daughter, and compassionate friend passed away March 12, 2016, of lung cancer. Mary Jean was born November 26, 1941 to James Hazen and Bessie Pearl Crowther Baird. She experienced the simple pleasures of growing up in the small farming community of Mink Creek, Idaho in a loving home with her two older brothers and a cousin who was raised as her sister. Her early schooling took place in Mink Creek followed by graduation from Preston High School in 1960. She graduated top in her class from Stevens-Henager Business College in Ogden, Utah with a degree in accounting and worked for a short time before devoting her life to her greatest desire, that of being a wife and mother.
In March of 1962, she was lined up on a blind date to an M Men and Gleaner fireside and dance with Sherman J. Lindhardt and they were married on August 3, 1962 in the Logan Temple. They lived in Tooele, Utah; Preston, Mink Creek and Riverdale, Idaho; and Lafayette, Indiana before settling in Smithfield, Utah where they made their home and raised a family.
Her life exemplified a love for her Heavenly Father, her Savior, and the gospel plan of salvation. She dedicated her time and energy to her family and making her home a place of warmth and welcome to all who entered. Her children and grandchildren were drawn to her home and nothing brought a brighter smile and more warmth to her eyes than having her family gathered round as she shared in their lives. She was selfless and loving and an influence for good in all she did.
She valued her membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully in many callings which provided the opportunity to develop many treasured friendships. She especially enjoyed her time serving with her husband in the Illinois Chicago Mission followed by many years of service in the Logan Temple. She also cherished the experience of serving alongside her husband in his calling as Stake Patriarch. Her work of transcribing brought continued love and devotion to their relationship.
Mary Jean had a special love for family history. Her ancestors were more than just names and stories. She knew them and gained strength and testimony from their lives. She instilled in her posterity a feeling of gratitude for those who came before, the lives they lived, and a sense of responsibility to carry on their legacy.
She is survived by Sherman, her loving husband of 53 years, their three daughters, four sons, one foster son, and their spouses, Alice (Shaun) Parkin of Ashburn, Virginia; Barbara (Craig) Warnes of Providence, Utah; Michael (Cami) Lindhardt of Manti, Utah; Douglas (Haley) Lindhardt of Firestone, Colorado; Nancy (Matthew) Felt of Wellsville, Utah; Thomas (Anneke) Lindhardt of Pleasant View, Utah; Paul (Jill) Lindhardt of Smithfield, Utah and Arnold (Rashel) Lee of West Jordan, Utah. She leaves behind 27 grandchildren and one great-grandchild, all of whom knew she dearly loved them, and one brother, James (Marilyn) Baird of Lewiston, Utah. Waiting to greet her on the other side were her parents, one brother, Ronald (Lana) Baird, her cousin, Betty Mae Taylor (Jack) Forbes, and one grandson, Hanson Sherman Lindhardt.
Funeral services are under the direction of Nelson Funeral Home and will be held Friday, March 18, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in the Smithfield 19th Ward Chapel, 640 North 200 East, Smithfield, Utah. A viewing will be held on Thursday, March 17, 2016 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Smithfield 19th Ward building and on Friday from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. in the same location. Interment will be in the Smithfield City Cemetery.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to Mary Jean’s wonderful caregivers at Terrace Grove Assisted Living Center, her doctors and nurses at Huntsman Cancer Institute, and the hospice staff at Community Nursing Services for the compassionate care provided during the past two years. We also wish to express our love and gratitude for Mary Jean, our wife, mother and grandmother, who has provided an example of faith, Christ-like love, and sacrifice through a life well lived.