Coletta (Lettie) Louise Hardebeck

Coletta (Lettie) Louise Miller Hardebeck passed away peacefully with family by her side at the age of 102 in Mission Viejo, CA on August 16, 2025. She was born in Tapo (Santa Susana), California on July 17, 1923 to Fred and Eleanor Miller, both German immigrants. Along with siblings Eleanor (Ellie Brown) and Freddy, she grew up on the family farm in Simi Valley, CA. There they helped their parents cultivate and harvest oranges, walnuts and a variety of other tree fruits. This work was hard and she often mentioned that there wasn't much else to do. Not long after high school, she moved to more exciting LA where she worked at Prudential Life Insurance Co. She was delighted when sister Ellie joined her a year later. She shared how much fun they had riding the "Red Bus" in town. Often, they would go to the beach where they enjoyed flirting with the sailors. Brother Freddy also left the farm. He joined the USAF and lived in San Antonio, TX.

While in LA, Lettie met a handsome young Coast Guard sailor, Robert (Bob) Albert Hardebeck. They married on November 15, 1947. Bob worked as a dental technician for most of his career. Lettie enjoyed a few years of part-time work for California State University Long Beach helping students find housing. They had four children, Catherine (Cathi), Lawrence (Larry), James (Jimmy) and Robert (Bobby), and lived in both Westchester and Los Alamitos. Lettie also helped raise grandson Joey, who she was very close to and loved dearly. Lettie was a devout Catholic with a strong faith in Jesus. At the age of 101, she was still able to attend in-person mass at St. Killian's church; when her mobility decreased, she watched mass live on TV.

Lettie was very active throughout her life. She loved to travel, take in the scenery, go to the beach and hike. She and Bob took the children to many of the California national parks. She had countless stories about these trips; one was about their campsite in Kings Canyon National Park being inundated by a flash flood. Her favorite national park was Yosemite. She camped and hiked there many times with Bob and the children, and hiked there with grandson Joey well into her 90's. The family made annual trips to the Simi Valley farm to see her parents and reunite with Ellie and her family. They also did an annual vacation at Crestline in the San Bernardino Mountains near Lake Gregory.

After the children were grown, Lettie and Bob made many trips to Hawaii, which she relished. She was heartbroken when he passed away in 1986. She subsequently traveled and did many activities with her children, grandchildren and sister, including trips to Alaska, Yellowstone, Virginia City, NV, local beaches, Knotts Berry Farm and Legoland. She frequently visited Larry and family in the Utah mountains. Besides hiking in the snow, she couldn't resist the thrill of a good sled ride with his children, even in her mid-80s. After sliding down, she would climb the steep hill and do it over and over again. The trip of her life was going to Israel with grandson Joey and a group of Catholics from St. Killian Catholic Church. Age didn't seem to slow her down until the last few years.

Lettie is survived by her four children: Cathi, Larry (Betsy), Jimmy (Anne) and Bobby; 7 grandchildren: Joey Moro, Jesse Moro; Lisa Hardebeck, Krista Hardebeck Schutz (Karl), Mark Hardebeck; Dustin Hardebeck, Callie Hardebeck; 3 great grandchildren: Kiana, Kana and Ryder, and many loved nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her parents, siblings and a nephew. Services will be held at St. Killian Church in Mission Viejo, 26872 Estanciero, Mission Viejo, 92691 on 9/3/25 at 10:30 AM, followed by a graveside service at 12:00 PM, at Ascension Cemetery at 24754 Trabuco Rd. Lake Forest, 92630.