Norma Ilene Hardwick

Dec. 17, 1918 - Sept. 14, 2008

BENKELMAN -- Norma Ilene Hardwick, 89, of Benkelman, died Sunday (Sept. 14, 2008) at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.

She was born Dec. 17, 1918, in Cheyenne County, Kan., to Roy and Pearl (Huffman) Crook. She lived her entire life in Dundy County, Neb., and was a graduate of Benkelman High School in 1936. After graduation, she taught school for two years at Rural District No. 66.

She married Francis L. Hardwick on Nov. 15, 1937. They lived and farmed north of Parks, Neb., on the old Morrison homestead. She was a farm wife.

In the early 1960s the family moved to Benkelman. She worked in the Dundy County Extension office, and the Dundy County Treasurers office for a total of 19 years.

She was very active in the community and was involved in the Order of Eastern Star Holly Chapter No. 233, the Red Hat Coffee Cuppers, and various other organizations. She was a member of the Parks and Benkelman Methodist Churches for more than 75 years.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Pearl Crook; husband, Francis Hardwick; daughter, Jerilynn; brothers, Basil and Alvin; and sisters, Verna and Hazel.

Survivors include her daughter, Charlene Hoover and husband, Russell of Chiliquin, Ore; her sons, Eldon Hardwick and wife, Elsie of Benkelman, John Hardwick and wife, Karen of Roseville, Calif., Richard Hardwick of Vallejo, Calif.; sisters-in-law, Virginia Crook of Englewood, Colo., and Bernice Crook of Shelby, Neb.; brothers-in-law, Alan Boyd of Santa Clara, Calif.; 11 grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; 10 step-great-grandchildren; and numerous other family members and friends.

Funeral services will be Friday at 10:30 a.m. (MDT) at United Methodist Church in Benkelman with the Rev. Brian Fong officiating. Interment will follow services at the Benkelman Cemetery.

The family will receive friends today from 4-6 p.m. (MDT) at Forch Funeral Chapel in Benkelman. There will be no viewing.

Memorials may be given to the Francis Hardwick Track Scholarship Fund at Dundy County-Stratton High School.

Arrangements are under the direction of Forch Funeral Chapel of Benkelman.