Obituary of William Hardesty

Bill Hardesty, a beacon of friendship and service, passed away on June 24, with his family by his side, leaving a legacy enriched by compassion, love and an unwavering commitment to social justice.

Bill was born on May 6, 1936 and grew up in Bloomington, Minnesota. He was shaped by early adversity when he contracted polio at the age of 16. This was a life-changing experience that led him down a path devoted to serving others. A graduate of Bloomington High School, Bill went on to attend Hamlin University and finally to the University of Minnesota where he received a Master’s Degree in Social Work. The career that followed became a testament to his belief in the inherent worth of every individual. Bill’s profession brought him to Duluth in the early 1960’s and he made it his home for the remainder of his life.

Throughout his forty-year career in social work, Bill touched the lives of many children, adolescents, families and senior citizens in his work with several different human service programs in Duluth. In the 1970’s, he founded the groundbreaking 2001 Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center, championing the cause of troubled youth and rejecting the notion of “throwaway” lives. His efforts were recognized by Governor Wendell Anderson leading to the creation of the Minnesota Model of Alcohol Treatment. Additionally, his influence extended into academia, teaching social work at UMD, St. Scholastica, and UWS and contributing to the founding of the UMD School of Social work.

Beyond his professional achievements, Bill was a pillar of his community, deeply involved in the DFL party, advocating for social justice and an active member of Peace United Church of Christ, serving on boards and in leadership roles. His love of the outdoors, history and politics was unmatched only by his unconditional love for people and standing up for the “underdog”. Bill’s interests included Witness of Peace, gardening, camping, canoeing, traveling, spending time at the family cabin, and cruising in his pontoon boat on Lake Vermilion. Bill also valued his many friendships and his decades of membership in two different men’s groups.  

Bill and his wife Georgette Sarkela have been together and married for 35 years. Between them they had a blended family of 9 children, Jan Hardesty, Dale (Susie) Hardesty, Sarah (Peter) Leischke, David (Ellyn) Hardesty, Donna (Steve) Peterson, Joe (Sam) Hardesty, David (Vickie) Debeltz, Martia (Robert) Everson, and Ryan (Amee) Debeltz. 18 grandchildren, and 12 greatgrandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, Donna Peter and niece Wendy (Chuck) Ott of Minneapolis. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Marion Hardesty, a brother Tom Hardesty, brother-in-law Jim Peter, and daughter-in-law Joan Kendall. Bill’s life was rich and full with family and friends. He loved and cared for the people in his life fully and will be deeply missed.

Our family is greatly appreciative for all of the support that Bill received from his many friends and the excellent care he was provided by the Essentia Health Hospice team and Solvay Hospice House. A celebration of Bill’s life will be held on August 1st at Peace Church at 11 North 11th Avenue East, Duluth, with a visitation at 10:00 A.M. followed by a service at 11:00 A.M. Memorials can be made in Bill’s honor to Peace Church or Loaves & Fishes.