Dale Hardy

Dale Hardy, age 81, of Willmar, died Saturday morning, June 6, at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 1 p.m. Thursday, June 11, at the Church of St. Mary in Willmar. A private interment will be in the church cemetery with military honors provided by Austin F. Hanscom American Legion Post #167 of Willmar. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, June 10, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar (www.petersonbrothers.com) and one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Rice Hospice.
Dale Hardy was born March 17, 1934, in Walhalla, North Dakota, the son of H.P. and Amanda (Hermann) Hardy. He grew up in Walhalla and graduated from WCAS High School in Park River, North Dakota in 1952. He was a pitcher in semi-pro baseball for a short time. Dale served in the U.S. Army stateside during the Korean War. Following his discharge, he attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks.
On December 28, 1957, he married his high school sweetheart, Jacqueline Rengle, and they lived in Grand Forks. In 1959, they moved to Willmar and Dale began working for John Rice at Willmar Air Service. He worked as a charter pilot and flight instructor and also sold planes. In the summers, he operated his crop dusting business, Willmar Aerial Spraying. In 1971, he began managing the Olivia Airport and operating Willmar Aerial Spraying full-time. He continued working as a crop duster until his retirement in his early 70's. Dale was a member of the Church of St. Mary, the American Legion, the "Geezer" golf group, and the Owls Club. He was a member and past-president of the Minnesota Aerial Applicators Association. Dale had a love of flying and obtained his pilot's license at age 16. He enjoyed traveling and went on many cruises and wintered in Mesa, Arizona for 20 years. He also enjoyed being outdoors, especially if he was golfing, fishing, hunting, or spending time with his family. He was a loving husband, father, grandpa, and great-grandpa and will be truly missed.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jackie; his children, Tim (and Mindy) Hardy of Willmar, Brian Hardy of Mesa, AZ, Karen Hardy of Spring Lake Park, and Jeff Hardy (and Lisa Johnson) of Coon Rapids, MN; three grandchildren, Nathan (and Beth) Hardy, Katie (and Josh) Henslin, and Rachel Hardy; three great-grandchildren, Abigail, Rebekah, and Mason, and Baby Hardy on the way; a sister-in-law, Penny Hardy of Mesa, AZ; and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Warren and Richard; and a sister-in-law, Marguerite.

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