James B Hanhardt, who once saw a pig with a wooden leg, passed away unexpectedly December 29, 2015 at Rapid City Regional Hospital at the age of 64.

Jim was born July 27, 1951 in Great Bend, KS, and was raised with his brother on a family wheat farm. He left home to go mining and to build and race a "motorcycle that fit him." He spent several happy summers racing his bike at the Bonneville Salt Flats during which time he met Shelley Wilson, to whom he was soon married. They were blessed with five children.

Together, the family lived in many locations, before finally moving to South Dakota. Living in Sturgis was a stroke of luck for Jim, allowing him to work at the Homestake Goldmine and frequently ride his motorcycle through the beautiful Black Hills. He worked with Homestake for 15 years as a jacklegger and shaftman. He was employed most recently at the Sanford Underground Research Facility as a technical safety lead. Most important to him personally, he fulfilled many callings in the Sturgis Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, serving as the Branch President at the time of his death. His unconquerable happiness, his undying loyalty to his values, and his selfless generosity with both his time and his resources will never be forgotten.

He is survived by his wife, Shelley; daughters, Mandie, and Amy (Danial) Long; son, Mark; father, Robert; brother, Ronald and six grandsons, Adam, Tyler, Benjamin, Zane, Camden, and Everett. He is preceded in death by his mother, Leona, and two sons, Matthew and Luke.

A memorial service will be held  2pm Saturday, Jan 2, 2016 at the LDS Chapel in Sturgis, 2460 South Baldwin St., with a time for all who knew him to visit beginning at 1pm.