Sara Hardin

Sara Elizabeth Hardin, 36 years young, passed peacefully at her home in the early morning hours of Sunday, March 8, 2026 with her husband, family, a close friend, and kitties by her side, after a short battle with cancer.

Those that knew Sara stated that she was a bright light that made the world a better place. She was kind, caring, loving and sweet. Putting others before herself and to this day, not knowing just how many people that she touched.

Sara was born March 29, 1989 in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Rod & Dennise (Zank) DeVries. Sara attended Kalamazoo Christian High School in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where she was a cheerleader for football. She graduated in 2007. After graduation Sara furthered her education at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan. During her freshman year of college, she met Nick Hardin. The universe knew what it were doing when it brought these two individuals together. They both enjoyed everything Detroit Sports, including the Lions, WWE, heavy metal music, video games and cats. The couple dated for 10 years, finishing their degrees in Statistics and Math before marrying on March 10, 2018.

Shortly after graduating, the couple struggled finding jobs in Michigan, Nick was lucky to secure an interview on a Friday at Columbus State Community College, the couple drove the six hours to Columbus, and he had his interview. In talking with his new boss to go get his textbooks, he mentioned that his statistician wife was in the car waiting for him. It was just happenstance that the college was looking for a professor in the stats department as well. Sara walked in, still in her pajamas from the car ride down, interviewed, and secured a teaching position at the College as well.

Sara is survived by her loving husband of 8 years Nick; mother Dennise Zank- DeVries; father Rod (Theresa) DeVries; father and mother-in-law Jeff (Dana) Cook; maternal grandparents Durwood (Norma) Zank; paternal grandfather Fred DeVries; Sister-in-laws Amanda & Kate Cook; step- siblings Julie Marie (Joey) Carrico, Domenic (Tiffiany) Carrico and Sarafina (Josh) Bryant; Uncles Jeff (Kelly) Zank and Roland (Janet) DeVries; Aunts Jodie (Christopher) Vieau, Marie (Michael) Bader and Sandy Zank; niece Lili; cousins Andy (Kate) Zank, Adam (Austin) Zank, Meghann (Michael) Hutchins, Austin (Bree) Zank, Hannah (Christian) Williams, Natalie (Ben) Vandewater, Nick (Melanie) Vieau, Joe (Sylvie) Vieau, Katie Vieau,Brooke Bader and Brett Bader, Mike (Lindsay) Zank, Bryan Zank and Dustin Zank; along with numerous great cousins. Her feline babies Laphicet and Midna.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandmother Winifred DeVries, and uncle Dennis Zank as well as her grandmother-in-law Mimi Hardin.

Sara was active in 4-H in her younger years, she enjoyed showing her sheep, even winning grand champion twice. She loved the Detroit Lions, Ferris State Hockey, attending Shinedown concerts over 20 times with her husband. She enjoyed watching her husband play video games, and took it more as a spectator sport, and entertainment. She became a foodie after being married to Nick for so long, always willing to try something new, but was not a finger food person. She loved taking trips with her grandfather every Thanksgiving break to somewhere new, but her most favorite trip was the one to Alaska.

Sara was angelic, happy, bubbly, and high spirited. She will be remembered for the impact she had on others. Teaching people, especially nurses how to understand statistics. She was known for her "sara-isms", and just how truly kind she was.

Friends may join the family on Sunday, March 15, 2026 at the Snyder Funeral Center, Delaware Chapel from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. A service celebrating the significance of Sara's life will take place at 4:00pm with Funeral Celebrant Tom Dea'therage officiating. Refreshments will be provided by the family.

Sara's Family asks that in lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to The Ohio State University, James Cancer Hospital for Research, so we can bring light to Sara's rare form of cancer, and that no other families have to go through what they did. https://giveto.osu.edu/makeagift/details/313545

Memories and condolences may be expressed at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com

The Snyder Funeral Center, Delaware Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.