June Hardy, 82, formerly Sidney, IA

Dorothy “June” Hardy passed away peacefully on August 29, 2025, with family at her side.  She was 82 years of age.

June was born May 3, 1943, in Albany, MO.  As a child, she attended country school near Hamburg, IA, and was a graduate of the high school in Hamburg, in 1961.  Immediately following graduation, she began work as a stenographer in the Social Welfare office, at the Courthouse, in Sidney.  

In 1964, June married Wayne Hardy, and they lived on a farm east of Sidney.  Two daughters were born, Brenda and Carrie, and June left her job to care for them and help on the farm.  She enjoyed this period of life, and was fully dedicated to her home and family.  Eventually, June returned to the Courthouse to work as a deputy in the Auditor’s office.

June and Wayne divorced in 1994, and she moved to Sidney soon after.  She loyally served Fremont Countythrough 35 years in the Courthouse.  While eight of those years were spent with the welfare office, the remaining were spent with the auditor.  She retired from this office in June of 2010.  She fully enjoyed retirement and embraced the freedom and joy that it allowed.

June was a member of the United Faith Church, and for several years helped serve breakfast to youngsters before school on Monday mornings at the church.  She was a member of P.E.O., and was so proud to receive her pin recognizing 50 years in the women’s organization.  June also participated in Monday Club, and took great interest in the various programs and guest speakers, as well as visits to local attractions and eateries.  

Home was her most favorite place.  She enjoyed her collectibles, specifically her shoe collection, and took pleasure in displaying them and talking about her favorites. She also liked her collection of cookbooks, and would often go through them while enjoying a cup of coffee and listening to country music on the television.  Later in life, she took interest in the Kansas City Chiefs, and rooted for the team from a comfy chair scooted close to the TV.  June loved her flowers and being outside, and was always happy when hummingbirds would visit her back porch.  She liked birdhouses, which appeared in much of her décor, both inside and outside her home.  She took pleasure in walking, reading, and shopping.  June enjoyed baking and always had a sweet “something” to offer when family or friends stopped by – even if just a piece of chocolate from the candy jar.  She was sure to clear out the cupboards when her kids and grandkids visited, and never left them empty-handed when walking out the door.  At meal time, even the fullest belly was always offered a “little more”.  Full of generosity, she gave so much more than she ever asked for.

June enjoyed time spent with a close group of high school girl friends, who would often gather for lunch or dinner, conversation and laughter.  She was particularly fond of her best friend, Lois Whitehead, whom she shared so many good times throughout high school and their adult lives.  The two of them found great pleasure in spending a day of hunting down good garage sales, usually stopping for a piece of pie or an ice cream cone before heading home.

Above all, June loved her family and would do anything for them.  She took in birthday parties, ballgames, dance recitals, swim meets, school programs, and whatever else was on the schedule.  She made time for whatever the calling…even delivery of a forgotten backpack, cheer shoes or lunch money.  Everything she did was done to the best of her ability; her work ethic, care for her home, preparing a meal, selecting a greeting card, perfectly wrapping a gift.  The little things mattered.  But those little things helped to create the biggest memories.  It’s a part of how we’ll remember her.  Beautiful inside and out, she was full of kindness, had values that guided her every interaction, and lived her life with a grateful heart.  These fine qualities are sure to be her legacy.

June spent the last couple of years away from Sidney; one year in an apartment she loved, in Maryville, MO, and the past nine months at Bedford Specialty Care, in Bedford, IA, where she was blessed with the most compassionate caregivers.  We will forever be grateful for all who were touched by her positive demeanor in the same ways we were, and we will celebrate her life for all she did as a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend.

Those left to cherish her person and the memories she helped to create are her two daughters, Brenda (Jerry) Emery and Carrie Hardy; grandchildren, Kelton Emery (Hannah Stanbrough), Karlie (Wyatt) Ellis, Kade Emery (Jessica Davis), Presley Hardy, Chloe Burge, Camry Rorebeck; great-grandchildren, Oliver and Jade; brother, Charlie Carlock; her dear friend, Lois; other family and many friends.

While our hearts are heavy and grief is unavoidable, we are comforted by the certainty that June was met at heaven’s gate by special loved ones awaiting her arrival; her loving mother, Jean Carlock, as well as siblings, Ruth Ann (Carlock) Gubser, Jerry Carlock and Stanley Carlock, and other family and friends who passed before her.

“To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die.”

Services will be held Thursday morning (Sept. 4) at 11:00 a.m., at the Gude Funeral Home in Hamburg, IA; Pastor Jan Phillips will officiate.  Burial will be in the Mt. Olive Cemetery, southeast of Hamburg.

The family will greet friends from 10-11:00 a.m., Thursday, at the funeral home.

Memorials may be given to Mt. Olive Cemetery Association.

Gude Funeral Home in Hamburg, IA is in charge of arrangements.