Dr. Franklin Hardy

DR. FRANKLIN J. HARDY

Mount Pleasant

Dr. Franklin J. Hardy, 91, of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, passed away Thursday, March 25, 2021, at his home.

Dr. Franklin James Hardy was born Nov. 25, 1929, in Omaha, Neb., the son of Frank and Dale (Stratton) Hardy. He was raised in Missouri Valley, Iowa, and graduated from Missouri Valley High School. He graduated from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry in 1956. Before attending college, Franklin served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He fought in the Battle of Chipyeong-ni in February 1951, for which he earned the Combat Infantry Badge.

Franklin was united in marriage to Dorothy Mae Bates on Sept. 23, 1950, in Missouri Valley, Iowa. He was a dentist in Harlan, Iowa, from 1956-1996. fter his retirement, Franklin and Dorothy moved to Mukilteo, Wash., for a number of years until moving to the Mount Pleasant, Iowa, area in 2001. He was a former member of the United Methodist Church in Harlan. where he sang in the choir. In his college days, Franklin was the first chair trumpet player for the University of Iowa Marching Band and concert band and later he played in the Harlan Community Band. He was an accomplished golfer and had seven holes-in-one in his lifetime. Franklin was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan and a loyal fan of the Detroit Tigers.

Dr. Hardy is survived by two daughters, Carolyn (Robert) Jensen of Mount Pleasant and Diane (Shuichi) Yamaguchi of Mukilteo, Wash.; four grandchildren, Sarah (Billy) Taylor, Reid (Abbie) Jensen, Maya ( fiance Bono Cardenas) Yamaguchi and Alisa Yamaguchi; and four great-grandchildren, Kira Taylor, Sophia Taylor, Neva Jensen and Milo Jensen. They will all miss his quiet, fun-loving and kind personality and the sound of his loud, wonderful laugh.

Preceding Franklin in death were his parents; his wife, Dorothy; a brother, Delbert (Zoe) Hardy; and a sister, Eleanor (Dick) Spayde.

A Celebration of Life Gathering will be from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 17, at the Saunders Park Log Cabin Shelter in Mount Pleasant. A memorial fund has been established for Every Step Hospice. Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel is caring for arrangements. Messages and tributes may be directed to www.powellfuneralhomes.com.