Mary Ann Hardin, of Antigo, died Monday, February 27, 2012 at her home under the care of her family and LeRoyer Hospice. She was 70 years old. She was born on September 16, 1941 in Dodgeville a daughter of the late Paul and Mary (Owens) Thym. She married Samuel Hardin on April 8, 1961 in Platteville. He survives.
She graduated from Dodgeville High School with the class of 1959. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Platteville for two years and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Steven Point in 1973 with a degree in early childhood education. While in Stevens Point she was a member of the Garden Club. She excelled at flower arranging and studied to become a judge at flower shows.
In 1984 she moved to Palmer, Alaska and enjoyed volunteering at the Bishops Attic Thrift Shop. In 1995 she moved to Antigo and was a member of SS Mary & Hyacinth Catholic Church and its rosary society.
She was a voracious reader and passed her love of reading on to her daughters. She especially enjoyed mysteries and spent many years serving on the Friends of the Library Board in both Palmer, Alaska and Antigo. Her family will remember her as an adventurous cook, always changing one or two ingredients to make a recipe her own.
In addition to her husband survivors include two daughters, Diane Hardin, Tacoma, WA and Melissa (Robert Booth) Hardin of Madison; a son, Jon (Lisa) Hardin, Stevens Point; four grandchildren, Mike, Stacey, Rachel and Ryan; a sister, Marilyn (John) Neu, Cameron Park, CA; and a brother, Pat Thym, Dodgeville.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Paul Thym.
A memorial Mass will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. at SS Mary & Hyacinth Catholic Church with Reverend William Brunner officiating. Visitation will be 5 - 8 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home with a parish wake service at 5:30 p.m. and a rosary society wake service at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will continue on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass at the church. Burial will take place in Elmwood Cemetery in the spring.
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Antigo, WI 54409
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Antigo, Wisconsin 54409
Sam and Mary adopted our family the day we moved to Palmer, Ak. and remained true freinds till they returned to Wisc. We think of them often. Mary could make every situation fun and was always available if help was needed. God's blessings to the family.
My heartfelt condolences goes out to my cousin Sam (Earnie) and his and Mary's children: Diane, Jon and Missy. I will miss Mary's sence of humor, quick witt, and always seeing the sunny side of life. I will miss her at the reunions and will charish all the advice she has given me over the years. May she rest in peace.
My condolences go out to Jon and the family. My prayers are with you.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sincere sympathy,
Nancy Blood
Mary Ann (DeeDee) Thym Hardin was a high school chum at Dodgeville High School. She was bright, friendly and had a wonderfully dry sense of humor, but always a twinkle in her eye. We continued contact with each other mostly at class reunions, and I remember seeing her in Stevens Point when I worked at the Whiting Mill for awhile in the 1970's. Then I was transferred to southern Wisconsin and she was off to Alaska. Would love to have visited her there, along with my cousin (and hers) Suzanne. Mary Ann and I share cousin Lois Owens Narveson, whose father and Mary Ann's mother were sister and brother; then Lois' mother and my mother were sisters. My sympathies go out to Sam and the family. You were so good to her. She is at peace!
Mary Hardin was the mother of one of my closets neighbood friends - Melissa. I will never forget the time that Mary was my Girl Scout leader. My favorite activity with her was the time we made homemade rootbeer and icecream. We did other activities, but this one was the yummiest. We spent a lot of time with the Hardin family and my parents John and Margo Laude had a lot of fun being with them when they visited at the cabin in Eagle River. When I was growing up Mary always opened her home to me. I still see John Hardin around town and we're friends on Facebook. You can tell he was raised by a thoughtful and loving mom.
I send my love and prayers to the Hardin family. Mary will be missed, but God is fortunate to have her.
Mary and Sam embraced the Antigo Public Library. When Mary decided she'd rather bake with gas, she donated her new electric stove to the library. Thank you Mary for your dedication and kindness. Those qualities and many memories of you and Sam will linger forever. Your lives continue to be shining examples for each of us.
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