Earla Mae Lardner

Born on March 3, 1933, to Charles and Mary Harvey, Earla spent her childhood in Saskatoon attending Albert School and later Nutana Collegiate. From a young age, she was drawn to horses, often running down to Pitt Graham’s barn just to be near them. It was there that she met Russ McQuarrie, who introduced her to a young hockey player, Don “Lardy” Lardner. Earla and Don married in 1956 and built a life rooted in love, family, and shared passions.

Together, they raised two sons, Kelly and Garth. In 1971, they established the family farm near Beaver Creek—a cherished place that would remain central to their lives and legacy. Their spirit will always live on there.

Earla worked for years at the Hudson’s Bay Company before joining Don in running the family business, Lardner’s Trailer Sales, where they worked side by side until their retirement in 1990.

Earla’s lifelong love for horses shaped much of her identity. She was deeply involved in Saskatchewan’s equestrian community, volunteering tirelessly with the Saskatchewan Horse Federation and serving many years with the Saskatoon Pony Club. She was passionate about equestrian dressage and earned numerous ribbons and accolades throughout her riding career. In recognition of her lasting contributions to the sport, Earla was inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in 1989.

In the early 1960s, Earla and Don were very instrumental in the early beginnings of the Saskatoon Retriever Club. Together, they spent countless weekends at dog trials with their beloved Labrador Retrievers. One of Earla’s favorite memories was stepping in for Don during a field trial and proudly winning the event with their dog, Daisy Mae. In 1997, Earla and Don were honoured with a Lifetime Membership Award for their long-standing commitment and contributions to the club.

Earla was a woman of energy and curiosity, and in her 60s, she didn’t slow down—she ramped up. She set out to learn French, and she did. She joined Toastmasters to learn public speaking. Even while managing rheumatoid arthritis, she taught herself to weave on a loom, sew, and quilt. Never one to shy away from a new challenge, she later took up stained glass art, joined a Bridge club, and began making homemade chokecherry wine. Her Saskatoon berry and peach pies were second to none.

Earla suffered a debilitating stroke just one week before her 70th birthday. Suddenly her active lifestyle came to a halt, but the stories of her rich, vibrant life lived on.

She was very proud of her grandchildren—Kate, Robyn, and Kyle. She loved sharing stories about them with anyone who would listen. She admired Kate’s adventurous spirit and travels, her creativity in dance, and marveled at her academics. She cherished her close bond with Robyn, especially their shared love for horses, and found deep comfort in Robyn’s gentle care and strength as she pursues a career in nursing. Earla delighted in Kyle’s endless energy, his handsome curls, his shared passion for hockey like Don, and his strong work ethic.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 61 years, Don Lardner; her son, Kelly Lardner; her sisters: Victoria, Ethel, Betty, and June; and her brothers: Bud and Elwood.

She is survived by her son, Garth (Bobbie Jo) Lardner, and their children: Robyn (Jordan) Friesen and Kyle Lardner; Kelly’s daughter, Kate Lardner; sister, Vesta Ferguson; sister-in-law, Marian Harvey; as well as many family and friends.

Her warmth, resilience, and zest for life will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who had the joy of knowing her. Her perseverance was second to none—a legacy of strength and spirit that lives on in all who loved her.

A special thanks to the staff at Samaritan Place for taking such good care of mom. We are grateful for your compassion during her stay with you.

A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Earla’s memory may be made to the Salvation Army, the SPCA, or a local pet rescue organization.