Marie (Stanger) Hard

She was preceded in death by her husband Dr.C.Gustav Hard; parents, Walter Stanger and Gertrude Stanger Merritt; brothers, Walter Stanger, Richard Stanger and sister, Maren Stocke.

She is survived by her children, Stephen Hard (Lisa), Bill Hard (Dede), Kathryn Johnson (David), seven grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren; sister, Barbara Penrod, sister in law, Barbara Ziemer, and many nieces, nephews and their families.

Marie was born April 30, 1926 in Duluth Minnesota. Throughout her lifetime she returned for many visits, being drawn to the calming waters of Lake Superior. Marie was nine years old when the Stanger family moved to Minneapolis. Marie graduated from Washburn High School in Minneapolis, then went on to graduate from MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois in 1948 with a degree in Home Economics.

Marie worked in Anoka County, Minnesota as an County Extension Agent where she met her husband Dr.C. Gustav Hard (Gus). They were married April 14, 1956. Marie and Gus enjoyed 47 years together, cherishing times with family, visiting and hosting extended family and friends, gardening, traveling, collecting antiques and judging 4-H projects at many County Fairs. They designed and built their cabin on Lake Superior and loved spending their retirement years there. They enjoyed volunteering, particularly at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, where Marie was a member for 86 years. Marie’s faith in God was evident in how she lived her life and raised her family.

A celebration of Marie's life and her 100th birthday will take place at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, 511 Groveland Avenue, Minneapolis on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 1:00 pm in the Sanctuary, followed by refreshments in the church Art Gallery.

Memorials to the steeple repair project at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church are preferred. The Steeple was a beacon to Marie’s faith and to the city of Minneapolis.