Carroll O. Hardessen

Carroll O. Hardessen, 98, of Kearney, formerly of Brule, died Thursday, October 12, 2017 at Brookdale Northridge Assisted Living in Kearney.

Carroll was born on November 25, 1918 at home in Brule, NE to Otto and Sophia (Oeltjen) Hardessen, who both immigrated from Germany in the early 1900s.  He graduated from Ogallala High School and as a member of The Greatest Generation, he volunteered for the US Army Air Corp in 1942 and trained to be a glider pilot. He married Mary Neumann on August 27, 1944 in Chappell, NE.  Carroll and Mary farmed and fed cattle for many years on their farm southwest of Brule, NE until moving to Kearney in 2014.

Carroll could make or repair just about anything.  He loved attending auctions and farm sales, was an active 4-H and community leader and an accomplished wood carver.

Surviving relatives include his wife of 73 years, Mary; daughters Jane Hardessen Shaw (Bud) of Walla Walla,WA and Linda Adams (Jerry) of Broken Bow, NE; son John Hardessen (Sue) of Kearney; grandchildren Amy Staples (Corey) of Broken Bow, NE, Melissa Lynd (Adam) of Overland Park, KS, Scott Adams (Andrea) of North Liberty, IA, Erica Hardessen of Kearney and Jess Hardessen (Mikala) of Gretna, NE; in addition to 10 great grandchildren. 

Carroll was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Laura Ballentine.

Memorial services will be at a later date. Visit Hlmk Funeral.Home to leave a tribute or message of condolence.  Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney and Draucker Funeral Home in Ogallala are in charge of arrangements.  Memorials have been established to the Petrified Wood Gallery in Ogallala and Northridge Retirement Community in Kearney.  Condolences to Mary Hardessen, 5410 17th. Avenue, #13, Kearney, NE  68845.
 

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