Gary L. Hardy
February 23, 1941 - May 13, 2017
Obituary
COTTAGE GROVE-Gary L. Hardy, age 76, of Cottage Grove, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family on Saturday, May 13, 2017. He was born on Feb. 23, 1941, in Everett, Pa., the son of Paul Hardy and Ann (Bulger) Grubb. He graduated from Everett Area High School in 1961. He joined the U.S. Marines and served in Guantanamo Bay during the Cuban Missile Crisis and was also stationed in Key West, Fla. Gary worked as an Ice Cream Maker for Schoep's Ice Cream for 31 years, which is where he met his wife, Mary Lou Esser. They were married on April 24, 1971. Following his retirement, Gary drove school bus. Gary enjoyed traveling to Hawaii and camping, and was also a big Pittsburgh Steelers fan, and a loyal Badgers fan. He loved children and coaching. Gary and Mary Lou were active parishioners for almost 50 years at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Gary is survived by his wife of 46 years, Mary Lou; son, Michael (Anne) Hardy; daughter, Lisa (Dan) Hostetler; grandsons, Jack, Sawyer and Ryan Hardy; special cousin, Larry Bulger; 2nd father, Paul Grubb; brothers-in-law, Joe (Joyce) Esser and Bob (Alverna) Esser; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Rich Hardy; and brother-in-law, Francis Esser. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5101 Schofield St., Monona, at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 20, 2017, with Father Chad M. Droessler presiding. Burial will be held at Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, May 19, 2017, and also at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Saturday. Memorials may be made to Agrace HospiceCare and to Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Forward in Faith Fund. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Agrace HospiceCare, Senior Helpers, Madison VA, Immaculate Heart of Mary Respite Team, the staff at Colonial Club Adult Day Center and all of our special friends for their continual support. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
608-221-5420
Events
Visitation
Fri May 19, 2017 @ 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Visitation
Sat May 20, 2017 @ 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM CDT
Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church Monona • 5101 Schofield St., Monona, WI 53716
Mass of Christian Burial
Sat May 20, 2017 @ 10:30 AM CDT
Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church Monona • 5101 Schofield St., Monona, WI 53716
Photos
No photos of Gary have been shared yet.
Memories
JM
Judy May-Bennett
Other •
Gary was such a good friend to his Everett High School classmates. We were always so pleased when he and Mary Lou were able to come to our class reunion's. We will all miss him! Judy May-Bennett
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Candy
Other •
I know I haven't seen you all in awhile but I can still remember Gary's laugh and the smile that was always on his face. He will be greatly missed.
Love to all,
Candy (Riedl) Lenzendorf
SC
Sharon Coffey
Other •
Gary is someone we admired and will miss. He was a great inspiration to many in the IHM community.
Sorry to miss his Mass of Christian Burial. Tom and Sharon
PN
Priscilla (Suter) Noel
Other •
Gary still has the smile he did in 1961. My sympathy goes out to Gary's family.
SS
Stacy Seversin
Other •
Mary Lou, thinking of you and your family. May Gary rest in peace.
AD
Anne Doran
Other •
Dear Mary Lounand Mike, We're so sorry for your loss. Anne and Mike Doran