HARDT, Charles E. 1926-2011
HARDT, KRAMER, WILLETT
Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 12/25/2011 at 21:39:13
Charles "Charlie" Hardt
Birth: October 15, 1926
Death: December 22, 2011Charles E. "Charlie" Hardt, "Mr. Science", 85, of Charles City died Thursday, December 22, 2011, at his home with his loving wife Betty and family by his side. Charlie's death is a great loss to anyone who ever had the privilege and pleasure of knowing him. As a teacher, coach and father, he made a world of difference to thousands.
A funeral Mass for Charlie Hardt will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Monsignor Stanley Hayek will celebrate the Mass. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery at Charles City. There will be a flag presentation by the Charles City Ceremonial Unit.
Friends may call at the Hauser Funeral Home from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday where the Scriptural Prayer Service will be held at 7 p.m. followed by the Rosary led by the Knights of Columbus.
Charlie was born to the late Emil and Helen (Kramer) Hardt, October 15, 1926, in Fairmont, Minn. He grew up with his brother James (deceased) and his sister Patricia. He left high school early at the age of 16 to enlist in the U.S. Navy and served in the Pacific theater during World War II. Upon his return in 1945 he met and married Betty Jean Willette and started his family. He received his degree from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn. While earning his degree, he played football for the Golden Gusties and was named a Little All-American. Charlie took his first teaching and coaching job in Emmons, Minn. In teaching and coaching he found a life-long vocation. Over the years he focused his teaching in the area of science and coached a wide range of sports, with his true passion being football.
He taught for 10 years in LeRoy, Minn. and for 27 years in Charles City. During his career he was named the Iowa State Science Teacher of the year as well as the Iowa State Junior High Coach of the year. He always believed it to be a privilege to be around young people. Charlie was an active member in numerous community organizations over the years including: the Elks, V.F.W., Knights of Columbus, Lions Club, American Legion and Kiwanis International. He was an active member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church as lector for over 40 years. After retirement, Charlie and his wife Betty spent their time and money traveling across the country for 16 years putting on science shows to get young students excited about science and learning. The Mr. Science Show, as it was known, left an indelible memory in the minds of all who saw it. He showed everyone that "to teach is to touch a life forever." Never one to stop learning, Charlie took up carving in his later years and became as he said, "a sculptor of wood."
He won numerous regional and state awards along with national recognition in carving publications. Throughout all of his professional career and retirement he found his greatest joy in spending his time with his children and grandchildren, especially summers on the Eastern shore. Charlie's greatest hope at the end of his life was that he could kneel before God and say that he used all the talents he had been given. It is beyond a shadow of adoubt that he had accomplished that and so much more. Charlie will be fondly remembered by his loving and devoted family.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Betty; his sister, Pat Hardt; daughters, Charlaine Vitarelli, Pam Kramer (Dave), Mary Kreger (Matt); sons, Kim (Bonnie), Mark (Paula), John (Carole), Michael (Ann); 15 grandchildren; 1 great-grandson. The family would like to especially thank Iowa Hospice and Renee's Loving care for all they have done for their father.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that memorials be made to the Charles City Area Dollars for Scholars Fund. The donations can be made online at http://snipurl.com/charleshardtdonation . Memorials may also be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Please use donor number 29784690.
Hauser Funeral Home obituary, 12/25/2011
Floyd Obituaries maintained by LaVern Velau.
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