Pat Hardy

Patricia Hardy, age 90, of Pequot Lakes, MN, passed away on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at her home after a long illness. She was born to Onni Jack and Ethel Alina (Erickson) Hariu in Gile, Wisc. She was baptized at St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Ironwood, MI.

Pat was proud of her Finnish heritage. Her grandparents, Jacob and Matilda Hariu, came over from Finland. The Finnish language was spoken in her home as she grew up along with three brothers. In her early years they lived in the Iron Belt area of Wisconsin. This was mining country. Her father worked in the mines until his health was affected. When the family moved to Minneapolis for work, she attended Lowry School. After moving back to the Montreal, Wisc area, she attended junior high in Hurley, Wisc. and senior high in Rhinelander, Wisc. where her family owned a drive-in restaurant (the Sana-Kay). She worked as a “hop” delivering pasties, coney dogs, and malts. The summer before her senior year she moved with her parents to Pine River to help her brother, Kenny, open a body shop. She attended Pine River High School and was the homecoming queen. She met Allen Hardy while he was working at the body shop. He was home from his tour of duty in the Army being stationed in Japan. They were married in Two Harbors, MN on January 27, 1951. Allen worked in construction throughout their married life. In 1965 they incorporated their own company – AA Hardy Custom Construction, Inc. Lane and Susan Hardy continue operating the company.

Pat had many talents and interests. She operated her own antique store in Pine River, loved traveling (especially going south in the winter months), going to the casino, golfing, oil painting landscapes, water aerobics, jewelry, reading, crossword puzzles, serving as an election judge for many years, playing cards of all kinds, and watching football. She was a very social person and thoroughly enjoyed being with friends who loved her personality. She loved her family and was very proud of them.

Pat is survived by her children: Beth (Jim) Sabas, Debbie (Steve) Norman, Lane (Susan) Hardy; six grandchildren: Jason (Fawnda) Norman, Benjamin Sabas, Nicole (Joseph) Laven, Brent (Sarah) Norman, Anna (Justin) Burnard, Virginia (Michael) Lupella; 16 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Allen; brother, Lane Hariu; brother, Ted Hariu; brother, Kenny Erickson; great grandson, Elijah David Laven; and several extended family members.

In lieu of flowers, donations will be sent to St Croix Hospice and Pine River Legion Post 613.

Services will be at 1:30 PM on Saturday, April 6 at Riverview Church, Pine River. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Light lunch to follow the service. Burial will be at Norwood Cemetery.