Beverly Jean (Thoms) Hardin

Beverly Jean Thoms Hardin, age 81, passed away in the early hours of July 24, 2022. Bev was born on June 14, 1941, to Gordon and Agnes Thoms, the oldest of 6 children. Growing up, she spent much of her time visiting the library and helping with her younger siblings Richard, Barbara, Douglas, Gary and Deborah. She grew up in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota and attended Sleepy Eye High School. Bev met her husband Robert Hardin while he was serving in the United States Air Force, and they were married soon after on July 21, 1958. They had three sons while living in Sleepy Eye. In 1966, they moved to Earlville, Illinois, where their fourth child, a daughter, was born. As a mother, Bev shared her laughter, love of reading, and fun-loving ways with her children. She cheered them on at any sporting events and the other many activities they were involved in.

Her main job throughout her life was caring for her family and home, although she did work part-time for several years as a bookkeeper at a local hardware store and also as a cashier at a grocery store. In more recent years, she volunteered at Earlville Elementary School, helping in Kindergarten classrooms and reading to students. Bev was a genuine person who people loved to be around. She loved to laugh and have fun with friends and family.

Bev enjoyed quilting, crocheting, knitting, reading, history, music, polka, trivia, and game nights. Above all else she loved being with her family. She loved her children, but her grandchildren were her pride and joy. She was always their biggest fan, and whatever endeavors her grandchildren decided to tackle, she would say they were a “natural.” Her grandchildren felt the love she gave them and will always remember her “famous” brownies and spaghetti.

She is survived by her two sons, Kevin (Diane) Hardin of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota; Kerry (Catherine) Hardin of Earlville, Illinois; and one daughter, Kristine (Brian) Foley of Mendota, Illinois. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, Michael, Jennifer, Jill, Matthew, Corey, Ryan, Taylor, Benjamin, Jamie, Emma, Patrick, and Emily; 18 great grandchildren, Jake, Samantha, Brandon, Madison, Jacob, Kaylie, Natalie, Carlie, Blake, Valorie, McKoy, Braelynn, Colt, Ellie, Logan, Cora, Cara, and Kipp; three brothers, one sister, several nieces and nephews, and Daisy, her faithful companion.

She was preceded in death by her husband Robert, her parents, a son, Kipp, and her sister Deborah Thoms.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 13, 2022 at Mendota Civic Center 1901 Tom Merwin Drive Mendota, IL 61342. In Lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Earlville Public Library. Cremation rites were entrusted to Hanley-Turner-Eighner Funeral Home in Earlville, IL. For more information or to sign the online guest book go to www.EighnerFuneralHomes.com
Hanley-Turner-Eighner Funeral Home 407 S. Ottawa St. Box 808 Earlville, IL 60518
(815) 246-6491