Joyce Eleanor Hardwick

Joyce Eleanor Hardwick (née Harper)

October 4, 1936 - March 1, 2026

Joyce Hardwick, age 89, passed away peacefully and surrounded by her loved ones on March 1, 2026.

Joyce was born to Leland and Prudence Harper in Columbus, Georgia on October 4, 1936. She was the older of their two surviving children, and she had a lifelong fondness for her brother, Jim. The family moved to rural Ohio near both grandparents for her elementary years, and her love for Christ and his Word was instilled in her from an early age. They moved again when her father took a position with what later became Nyack College - a Christian and Missionary Alliance school not far from New York City.

It was at that school that Joyce both attended college and met her future husband, Stanley Hardwick. The Hardwick family arrived just as Joyce and Stan were entering their freshman year, and moved in only a few houses from the Harper home on campus, since Rev. Hardwick was also employed at the college. Joyce and Jim quickly became buddies with Stan's fun-loving younger brother, Thom. And soon she and Stan were seated together (alphabetically!) in many of the same classes. They both excelled in academics and campus life, and winsome, sociable Joyce won his heart.

Joyce and Stan married in 1958, the day after their graduation. Joyce had studied education and began teaching school while Stan continued on in doctoral studies until he began teaching at a seminary in New York City. Their two daughters, Kim and Sue, were both born during these years.

The family moved to the Twin Cities in 1967 where Stan took a position at Bethel Seminary and Joyce with the Moundsview school district. They bought their home overlooking Rice Creek in 1972, where they lived for almost 50 years.

Joyce was a lifelong learner. She continued on in her schooling, earning a certificate in special education (her primary field), a Master's degree, and enough credits for a second one. Though she initially resisted using computers, she did learn, and ultimately became very tech savvy for her generation! She was not only highly educated, but a caring and compassionate teacher until her retirement in 1998 after 30 years in the district. She definitely had a way with words, and was a good editor - helping many people in that capacity even in her retirement years.

Joyce was also well known, loved, and involved in the life of her church of many years, North Heights. She participated in new member training, coordinated gardening volunteers, served as a chaplain, and was a lay counselor and intake specialist at its counseling clinic. She took special interest in inner healing both personally and in ministry, and loved to see the Holy Spirit touch lives. She was elected to the church council and served as the secretary and later scribe. She also served on the school board for North Heights Christian Academy. She especially enjoyed being in the choir and the Passion Play under the direction of her dear brother- and sister-in-law, Thom and Jan.

Being retired gave her more time for all the activities she loved, including adventuresome travel (BWCA, beach and ski trips, Europe, Madagascar) and spending time with her beloved daughters' families, including her three precious grandsons, who all lived nearby. Joyce often shared that her greatest satisfaction was in simply being a mother and grandmother, and she was very intentional as she poured out her love on us all as a devoted prayer warrior, a gracious hostess, a willing helper, a personal cheerleader, and as a mentor and friend for so many others besides.

In her later years, Joyce was appreciated as a wise and grandmotherly figure at Emmanuel Covenant Church. Both congregations supported her well as she entered the challenging phase of widowhood and progressive cognitive and physical decline. Special appreciation to all the staff at Northwoods Memory Care Suites for their stellar, compassionate care for her over the last two years, where she still won people's hearts with her beautiful smile, kind yet failing words, and evident love for God and her family.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Stan; parents, Leland and Prudence Harper; her baby brother, Carl David Harper (stillborn); sister-in-law Margie Harper, and brother-in-law Thom Hardwick. She is survived by her brother, Jim Harper, brothers-in-law Robert (Barbara) Hardwick and Len Hardwick, and sister-in-law Jan Hardwick; children, Kim (Christopher) Carlson, and Sue (Jim) Nordby; grandchildren David (Lily) Carlson, Mike (fiancée Miriam) and Matt Nordby; and nephews and nieces.

The service celebrating her life will be held on Tuesday, April 7th at 11 a.m. with lunch to follow.

Livestream: https://northheights.church/watch-live/

Visitation prior to service at 10 a.m.

Location: North Heights Church, Arden Hills Chapel (Door B), 1700 Highway 96, Arden Hills.

Attire: as desired. Joyce loved colorful clothing and surroundings!

Private interment at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Maplewood, MN, at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to: Emmanuel Covenant Church, North Heights Christian Academy, or the Alzheimer's Association.