Obituary for Margaret “Peggy” Hardinger

Margaret “Peg” A. (Becker) Hardinger, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully at House of the Dove in Marshfield, Wisconsin on Thursday, June 13th, 2024. She was 79 years old.

Peg was born on August 19th, 1944, in Marshfield, Wisconsin, to William “Bill” and Margaret (Berghamer) Becker. She attended Marshfield schools and graduated from Columbus Catholic High School. Following her high school graduation, Peg pursued her passion for nursing, earning her RN degree from St. Joseph School of Nursing in Marshfield. She worked as an operating room nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital for several years. She then worked as an ambulatory surgery nurse at Marshfield Clinic until she retired in 2004.

On October 2, 1965, Peg married the love of her life, Gerry J. Hardinger, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Marshfield. Peg and Gerry enjoyed forty-three wonderful years together before he passed away in 2008. They lived in Marshfield most of their lives but purchased a cottage home on Lake Holcombe Flowage in 1994. They spent most of their weekends there until they moved permanently in 2004. Peg spent another 10 years at the lake house after Gerry passed away until she moved back to Marshfield in 2018.

Peg was a talented crafter. She loved to knit, crochet and cross-stitch. She created countless mittens, hats, sweaters, and blankets for her family and community. She generously donated many of her crafts to charity. She had an appreciation for the little things in life. One of her favorite pastimes was putting together puzzles. She loved drinking coffee and reading. She found joy in watching birds and wildlife. She gave many cats (and a dog) a good home over the years. Peg was a huge hockey fan and the Minnesota Wild was her favorite team.

Peg is survived by her children: Janet (Patrick) Herkert, Gary Hardinger and Tom Hardinger, all of Marshfield; and Susan (Ed) Andruczyk of Fitchburg. She is also survived by her seven grandchildren: Emily Herkert of Marshfield; Sarah Herkert of Altoona; Zachary Hardinger of Marshfield; Grace (Makayla) Freeman of Rib Mountain; Nicholas and Logan Hardinger of Sherry; and Gabriel Karr of Fitchburg.

Additionally, Peg is survived by her siblings: Dick (Judi) Becker of Madison; Judy Bushman of Marshfield; Jane (Tom) Hakl of Chippewa Falls; Susan (Dan) Poole of Rosemount, Minnesota; and William (Denise) Becker of Auburndale. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Fay Becker and brother-in-law, Hubert Hamus of Waukesha.

Peg was preceded in death by her husband, Gerry Hardinger; her parents, Bill and Margaret Becker; her brother, Patrick Becker; sister-in-law, Elizabeth (Betty Hardinger) Hamus; and brothers-in-law, Jim Bushman and Eugene Hardinger.

Peg’s warmth, kindness, and generosity touched the lives of many, and her memory will be cherished by all who knew her. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Peg’s memory to a charity of your choice. She especially loved and supported Best Friends Animal Society in Utah, The National Audubon Society and Marshfield Public Library.

Peg will be deeply missed and forever remembered. May she rest in peace.