Marlys I. Hardekopf

Marlys I. Hardekopf, age 84, of Parkers Prairie, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at St. William’s Living Center.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, November 7, 2024, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Parkers Prairie with Rev. Kirk Lee officiating. Music is provided by organist, Maureen Diedrich and soloist, Lilly Gulbrandson. Interment is at the Parkers Prairie Cemetery.

Visitation is 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, November 6th, at Lind Family Funeral Home in Parkers Prairie and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Marlys Ileen was born on July 30, 1940, to Arnold and Norma (Hanson) Lukken in Elmo Township. She was baptized on September 15, 1940, at Elmo Lutheran Church and confirmed on November 28, 1954, at Nidaros Lutheran Church. Marlys attended grade school in Clitherall and graduated from Battle Lake High School in 1958.

After graduation, Marlys began working for Otter Tail County in Fergus Falls. She married Raphael “Ray” Gaarsland on November 28, 1959, at Nidaros Lutheran Church. Together, they had two children, Tim and Connie. They lived in Fergus Falls until Ray’s passing in a stockcar accident in 1962. Following his death, Marlys moved back with her parents to raise her children.

Marlys later purchased her own home and dedicated herself to her family. She met Marvin Hardekopf at a wedding dance, and they married on June 9, 1967, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Parkers Prairie. Together, they farmed near Parkers Prairie and welcomed three more children: John, Tammy, and Dennis.

As her children grew older, Marlys worked at Arrowwood, Madson's Food Store, and Kenny's Candy. After retirement, she helped Marvin on the farm. Following Marvin’s passing in 2022, Marlys spent her final years at St. Williams Living Center.

Marlys was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and the Homemakers Club. She enjoyed playing cards with the “card club” during the winter months. An active gardener, Marlys was also talented at canning foods and was known for her famous pickles. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren, who brought immense joy to her life. Family gatherings, time at the farm, and cheering on her grandchildren at their events were some of her happiest moments.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Ray and Marvin; son, Timothy Gaarsland; granddaughter, Tonya Gaarsland; brothers, Leslie Lukken, Norman Lukken, James Lukken; parents-in-law, Leonard Gaarsland, Elois Ellwanger, and John and Emma Hardekopf; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Leonard and Jeanette Hardekopf; and brother-in-law, David Tostenson.

Marlys is survived by her four children, Connie (Leroy) Nordlund, John (Tiffany) Hardekopf, Tammy (Greg) Larson, and Dennis Hardekopf; 17 grandchildren, Todd (Kayla) Gaarsland, Ryan (Ann) Gaarsland, Nicole (Grant) Bettermann, Stephanie (Kevin) Krohnfeldt, Joshua (Shauna) Nordlund, Samantha (Mark) Koep, Dustin (Ashlee) Nordlund, Brandon Winger, Paige (Travis) Kane, Courtney (Eli) Kohorst, Alisha (Joseph) Nustad, Graham Larson, Aiden Larson, Caleb (fiancée, Emily) Hardekopf, Hannah Hardekopf, Gavin Hardekopf, and Jessah Longbella; 15 great-grandchildren, Kason and Callen Gaarsland, Marvin and Raelynn Betterman, Kelsey and Cole Krohnfeldt, Aria and Allen Nordlund, Parker and Avery Koep, Hayden Winger, Zoey, Emma, and Henry Nustad, and Kennedy Kane; sisters, Sharlene (Gerald) Jorgensen, Sandra Tostenson, and Susan Lukken; brother, Jeffrey (Kay) Lukken; sisters-in-law, Carol (Warren) Boese, Sue Lukken, and Kathy (Tim) Gaynor; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Pallbearers are her grandsons. Honorary pallbearers are her granddaughters and great-grandchildren.