Darlene Rose Hardy, 88

Darlene Rose Hardy, age 88, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away on Saturday, May 25, 2024, at St. Mark’s Living in Austin. She was born on April 20, 1936, in Austin, Minnesota, to Joseph and Martha (Winkles) Novak. She graduated from Pacelli High School in 1954. On April 1, 1957, she married Robert Edmond Hardy in Northwood, Iowa. Their marriage was blessed with six children. The couple loved driving around town and traveling. In 1977, she worked side by side with her sister at Klagges Ice Cream Store. Darlene worked for 18 years at Hy-Vee as a cashier. She grew up Catholic and most recently was a member at Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Austin. She had a green thumb, always having plentiful gardens. Darlene loved jigsaw puzzles; she would swat Bob’s hand if he would try to touch the pieces. She loved to cook and bake, especially Christmas dinner and Christmas desserts. She was known for the greatest Christmas cookies, homemade chicken and dumpling soup, lasagna, and many more memorable meals. In her younger years she loved dancing and could be found many Fridays and Saturdays dancing at The Terp in Austin. She was a talented musician; she really enjoyed playing the piano and will be remembered for playing every Christmas. Darlene’s family meant more than anything to her; she cherished her time with her children and grandchildren.

Darlene is survived by her husband, Robert Hardy of Austin; children, Debra (Gregory) Vick of Albert Lea, James Hardy of Austin, Gregory Hardy of Austin, Bradley (Lisa Lewison) Hardy of Austin, and Eric (Sheila) Hardy of Clarks Grove, Minnesota; 15 grandchildren, Cari, Elissa, Nathaniel, Emilee, Abby, Ezra, Nena, Shanda, Jamie, Wyatt, Garrett, Tara, Taylor Rose, Latisha, and Bryttani; great-grandchildren, Aubree, Alayna, Acelynn, Sabrienne, Tavia, Jager, Angela, Kaleb, Elijah, Emilio, Aaliyah, Brenda, Angel, Ezra Jr., Letty, Weston, Oliver, Gemma, and Carly; and siblings, Ilene Cunningham of Austin, Gene Novak of Austin, and Marilyn Hull of Austin. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Martha Novak; daughter, Brenda Hardy; granddaughter in infancy, Heather Vick; and siblings, Marguerite Kuhn, Francis Novak and Shirley Barnett.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at Worlein-Hoff Funeral Home in Austin. The visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery in Austin, at a later date. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes are assisting the family with arrangements.