Wanda J. Hardesty

Wanda J. Hardesty

Age 94, lifelong resident of Northville, passed away peacefully on September 3, 2021. She was born December 18,1926 in Detroit, Michigan; daughter of Wallis and Flossie (nee Wixom) Stooks.  She was united in marriage to Dean H. Hardesty on December 19, 1942; they spent 64 years devoted to one another until his death on August 16, 2007.

Wanda was a member of Hilltop Church of the Nazarene in Northville.  She worked as a manicurist at a salon in Farmington Hills for several years.  Wanda was a talented seamstress; she sewed beautiful clothing for herself, many coats, and various items for her home like curtains and draperies.  She also crocheted baby blankets, bottle holders, tissue covers, and place mats that she often gave as gifts to family and friends.  She enjoyed gardening and growing her own vegetables.  Wanda was an avid bowler, she and her husband bowled together in a league, and she also bowled in a lady’s league.  Growing up she loved horses and kept many throughout her life.  Wanda enjoyed trail riding and on occasion would ride her horse from her home into downtown Northville.  She raised her favorite horse, Major, from a colt and had him for his entire life.  An animal lover, Wanda cared for many stray cats over the years and set up bird feeders near her dining room window to feed and watch the birds.  For many years, her summer weekends were spent at her family cottage on Sage Lake near West Branch.  While there she spent time on the lake fishing, boating, canoeing, and skiing, and there was always work to be done on the cottage during those visits.  Wanda was an excellent caregiver and throughout her life lovingly cared for many relatives that were ailing.  She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and friend; she will be missed by all who knew her.

Wanda is survived by her loving children, Robert (Thelma) Hardesty and Debra (Carmine) Berardino; her grandchildren, Kevin Hardesty, Ryan (Christine) Hardesty, Dustin Hardesty, Amy Young, Renee (Frank) Jung, Kurt (Fonda) Berardino; her great grandchildren, Preston, Viviana, Carmine, Salvatore, Chloe, Kimberly, Ella Marie, and Mackenzie; 1 great great grandchild; her brother-in-law, Darel Hardesty, Norm Foerster; and her sisters-in-law, Ernestine Hardesty, Doris Hardesty, and Audrey Hardesty.  She was preceded in death by her husband, her daughter Dawn Hardesty, her parents, and her brothers Wallace Stooks, Douglas Stooks, and Carl Stooks.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, September 8, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. with a Funeral Service at 1:00 p.m. at Casterline Funeral Home, 122 West Dunlap, Northville.  She will be laid to rest next to her husband at Washtenong Memorial Park in Ann Arbor.

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate memorial contributions to Corpore Sano Hospice , 39475 Ann Arbor Rd., Plymouth, MI 48170 or Alzheimer’s Association , Greater Michigan Chapter, 25200 Telegraph Rd., Ste. 100, Southfield, MI 48033.