Bernie Hardeman

Bernard “Bernie” Michael Hardeman was born May 22, 1949, in Oskaloosa, the son of Garrett and Anna (Vander Weerdt) Hardeman. He passed away on Monday, August 3, 2020, at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House at the age of 71.

Bernie was raised on farms in rural Lacey and New Sharon, and attended Oskaloosa Christian School and North Mahaska Schools in Barnes City and New Sharon. He graduated from North Mahaska High School in 1967. Following high school, he attended Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, graduating with a certificate in auto mechanics. Following Indian Hills, he was employed by the Amana Corporation for a short time. He served with the Iowa National Guard from 1969 until 1975.

On October 22, 1971, he was united in marriage to Mary Ann Roozeboom at the Leighton Christian Reformed Church. To this union, three sons were born: Michael John, Daniel Lee, and Timothy Ryan. For 49 years (1969 – 2018), he was employed by Vermeer Corporation – working in several different areas of the company. Though his last position was as forklift operator, he was a gifted welder who most enjoyed teaching others as a welding educator in the weld training department.

Bernie was a former member of the Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa, and became a member of the Leighton Christian Reformed Church shortly after his marriage. He served as an elder, deacon, Cadet counselor, Sunday school teacher, and catechism teacher. He also coached his sons when they participated in the Leighton Little League.

Bernie enjoyed collecting coins (especially wheat cents), magazines, and antique tools (especially wrenches). He relished spending time outside tending to his acreage and garden. He treasured the Christmas season, putting up Christmas lights, and watching National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. He cherished drinking coffee on his deck and delighting in the wonders of creation. He prized his Ford Mustang convertible and loved driving in the open air. He reveled spending time in the mountains of Colorado and playing cards with dear friends. Most of all, he loved spending time with family – his wife, his sons and daughters-in-law, and his grandchildren. Bernie was a person of deep Christian faith; steadfast commitment to his church, community, and family; and devoted love for God.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Mary of more than 48 years and their family:

Michael and Elizabeth Brown Hardeman of Orange City

               Neriah Brown Hardeman

               Rinnah Brown Hardeman

               Micaiah Brown Hardeman

Daniel and Monica (Deur) Hardeman of Runnells

               Andrew Jacob Hardeman

               Gabriel Marshall Hardeman

Timothy and Desiree (Nikkel) Hardeman of Lynnville

               Brayden Garrett Hardeman

               Brooke Marie Hardeman

               Bryson Ryan Hardeman

               Bristol Alyia Hardeman

Bernie is also survived by two sisters and their husbands: Joyce and Bill Newell of Naples, Florida and Elaine and Mark Jarman of Bonita Springs, Florida; a brother-in-law and his wife: Mark and Connie Roozeboom of Pella; a sister-in-law and her husband: Deanne and Ed Van Wyk of Reasnor; and five nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his parents-in-law: John and Clarice Roozeboom.

The service will be live-streamed on the Garden Chapel FaceBook page. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.