Mom, today you walked through the doorway of this life, into the eternal glory waiting for you in Heaven. Your soul has gone to be with those whom you loved and missed in this life, but your spirit remains with those of us who love and remain here. We will love you always.

Jo Hardt gave up her fight with cancer and passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus surrounded by her children. She was 84. Life was special to her, and she lived it to the fullest.

Jo was born in Lindsay, Wi. to August and Verelda “Peggy” Hauser. A true tomboy, some of mom’s favorite memories of growing up as a kid in Lindsay were enjoying limburger and onion sandwiches while fishing with her dad, holiday gatherings that included the entire town, listening to her dad’s band, and caring for her many pets.

Mom eventually moved to Baraboo, Wi. where she met the love of her life and best friend, Bob Hardt. Bob and Jo married on March 2, 1958, and settled in Portage, Wi. where they became parents to five children. Sadly, they would lose their first-born, Kari Ann to leukemia when she was seven. A parent truly never heals from the loss of a child. As much as it hurts us to lose you, mom, there is a great comfort in knowing that the deep, colossal pain you endured from losing your first-born has finally drawn to a close. After all these years, tears, and emotional torment that not even time could heal, Kari Ann and your spirits are finally reunited.

Over the course of her life, mom wore many hats, always succeeding at everything she did. In addition to being a mom, a loving wife, and a terrific homemaker, some of her work included manager at various retail stores, and QC at Ray-O-Vac in Portage. Bob and Jo were also proprietors of “Hardt’s Home Plate” in Portage where she was always ready to serve a friend. Mom lovingly opened her home to foster kids who needed guidance and love. Her work ethic was as strong as her love for others.

Mom will be so missed by her four children, Neil (special friend, Geri), Sun Prairie, Wi., Susan (Vince) Bashynski, East Troy, Wi., Jane (special friend, Paul) Czerkas, Portage, Wi., Bob (special friend, Lisa), Wisconsin Dells, Wi., her best friend and former husband, Bob, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, siblings, and friends. Mom was reunited in death to her daughter, Kari Ann, her parents, and her mother and father-in-law, Irma, and Walter Hardt.

A very special thanks to our sister, Jane who tirelessly cared for mom and fought to assure that her final wish, to die at home, was fulfilled.

Thank you, mom, for all the memories you left us. We will hold them in our hearts and cherish them forever. God blessed our lives so richly with your love and the sunshine of your smile. Not a day will go by that we won’t think of you and remember that through your love our lives became better.

A quiet and simple celebration of mom’s life will take place on September 25, 2022, with her daughter, Susan leading the service.

Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in Heaven, where our loved ones shine down

to let us know they are happy ~ An Eskimo Legend

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