Mabel Hardwick

Mabel Jane Hardwick, 87, of Eau Claire, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017, at Mayo Clinic Health System-Eau Claire.
Mabel Jane Larson, daughter of John and Millie (Oas) Larson, was born June 11, 1929, in Mondovi. She was raised on a farm in the Mondovi area, attended Sheldon Valley Country School, and graduated from Mondovi High School in 1947. Following graduation, she was employed at Uniroyal Tire Company in Eau Claire.
On June 6, 1953, Jane was united in marriage to Wayland Hardwick, at the Drammen Lutheran Church, rural Mondovi. Jane was given in marriage by her father; she wore a gown fashioned in chantilly lace over a satin bodice with long sleeves, sheer shoulder line, and double nylon tulle full skirt extending into a train. Her fingertip appliquéd veil was held with orange blossoms. She carried red roses and stephanotis on a prayer book. The couple lived in Eau Claire before moving to Kenosha, where she gave birth to their two children. Returning to the Eau Claire area for employment, they moved to Altoona in 1969. While in Altoona, Jane started her employment with the Altoona School District as a van driver for handicap children. She stayed with the district and for 25 years served as the supervisor of the elementary school food service program. After retiring from food service, she took a job with Sam’s Club in Eau Claire, where she enjoyed visiting and handing out products for people to sample. Jane loved life, serving and giving to others, not only to family but anyone she met. If you came to her home you never left hungry or empty-handed. She saw to it that you left with a good memory and often with an item she wanted you to have.Over the years she generously ministered to others by sending cards of inspiration. Jane also enjoyed working in her gardens and was especially fond of the beautiful flowers she grew.
Jane will be dearly missed by her daughter, Holly and Jeff Jaenke of Eau Claire; son, Steve and Valerie Hardwick of Spanish Fort, Ala.; eight grandchildren, Michael Jaenke, Adam (Carissa) Jaenke, Angel (Jacob) Mueller, Brayton (Quinn) Jaenke, Justyn Pollock, Tyler Hardwick, Dylan Hardwick, Riley Hardwick; five great-grandchildren, Quinn, Reagan, Emma and Theia Jaenke, Gwynneth Mueller; three brothers, Melvin (Delores) Larson of Fall Creek, David (Judy) Larson of Eleva, Noble (Jenny) Larson of Mondovi; four sisters, Pauline (Dennis) Meyer of Altoona, Myrt Haugen and Audrey Myhre, both of Eau Claire, Marion Larson of Hallie; sisters-in-law, Delores Larson of Mondovi, Lois Larson of Eau Claire, Winifred Tesmer of Zephyrhills, Fla., Marjorie Harris of Altoona, Beth Johnson of Kenosha, Dawn Johnson of Altoona, Joyce Kelsh of Fargo, N.D.; brothers-in-law, Dale (Audrey) Hardwick of Worthington, Minn., Lamar Hardwick of Seminole, Fla.; many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Jane was preceded in death by her parents; husband Wayland on Oct. 18, 2003; great-granddaughter, Raspberry Mueller; siblings, Florence, in infancy, Lawrence and George Larson; other family members, Richard Myhre, Raymond Tesmer, Kenneth Harris, Carl Johnson, Jerome Johnson, Bud Kelsh, Daryl and Violet Hardwick, and Ann Hardwick.
Services with a visitation were held on Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Anderson Funeral Home, in Augusta. Burial was in the Mentor Cemetery, in Humbird.
Online condolences can be left at www.andersonfhaugusta.com.