Josephine V. "Jo" Hardy, age 84 of Babbitt, died Thursday, October 01, 2009 in her home, with her family by her side. She was born March 9, 1925 in Ely, MN, the daughter of Anton and Josephine (Erchul) Burja, was a 1943 graduate of Ely Memorial High School, and attended Nurse's Training at the Blessing Hospital in Quincy, IL. Jo married Boyce D. Hardy on August 26, 1946. She worked outside the home in a variety of jobs, took care of the ill people, and enjoyed baking. She was a member of the St. Pius X Catholic Church in Babbitt; and was involved with the Babbitt Lions Club where she was honored as "Lion of the Year", and won the Helen Keller award. She was a longtime member of the Minnesota and the National Bowling Associations and inducted in the Women's International Bowling Congress Hall of Fame, she also coached Junior Bowling for many years. Jo was a longtime member of the Ely Klown Band, was active with Youth for Christ, and a member of both the Babbitt VFW Post # 1539 and the Maki-Pinola American Legion Post # 535 Auxiliaries. She enjoyed playing cribbage and bingo, gardening, and was an avid reader.
Jo is survived by her children: Lawrence A. Hardy of Duluth, MN, Barbara (Steven) Maack-Brust of Erhard, MN, James Michael (Joanne) Hardy of Embarrass, MN, Donna Marie (Paul) Miller of Ramsey, MN, Deborah Katherine (Michael) Rolfson of Embarrass, MN, Margaret Mary "Peggy" (Alvin Gibney) Hardy of Babbitt, MN, Judith Rae Erickson of Pelican Rapids, MN, and Daniel Patrick (Brenda) Hardy of Colfax, WA; 18 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; a sister: Mary Ann Kopp of Wadsworth, Ohio; sisters-in-law: Cissie Burja of Eveleth, Helen Burja, Menomonee Falls, WI and Betty Fellon of Ryderwood, WA.; numerous aunts, uncles nieces nephews; and a host of extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband Boyce, on February 5, 2004; daughter: Bonnie Jo Coykendall in 1986, grandson: Derik Hardy; and two brothers Tony and Lawrence Burja.
Visitation will be held Sunday. October 4, 2009 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the St. Pius X Catholic Church in Babbitt, with Wake Prayers at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue Monday, October 5, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Pius X Catholic Church in Babbitt. Reverend Father William Skarich will celebrate the Mass. Burial will be in the Ely Cemetery.
Memorials are preferred.
Family services provided by Bauman-Vermilion, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower. To share personal remembrances of Jo online; please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com.

Visitation

Sunday October 4, 2009 , 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at St. Pius X Catholic Church

Visitation

Monday October 5, 2009 , 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at St. Pius X Catholic Church

Mass of Christian Burial

Monday October 5, 2009 , 11:00 a.m. at St. Pius X Catholic Church

Interment

at Ely Cemetery

1-888-579-7953 Code: 74804P


Facts Born: March 9, 1925
Place of Birth: Ely, MN 55731
Death: October 1, 2009
Place of Death: Babitt, MN 55706
Occupation: Homemaker
Hobbies: Baking, Gardening, Reading
Organizations: St. Pius X Catholic Church, Ely Klown Band, Bowling Associations, Babbitt Lions

Memorial Donations Memorial donations can be made to:
Memorials are preferred