Signe Hulda Hardwig, 90 years young, died peacefully at her home early Friday morning, March 30, 2012, following a brief struggle with cancer. She was lovingly nursed by her family with supportive help from North Star Hospice.
Signe was born Dec. 28, 1921, in Littlefork, Minn., to Dagny and Lars Heiberg.
She graduated high school in 1938 at the age of 16 — proud to have completed two grades in one year.
On Sept. 19, 1940, Signe married her sweetheart, Herbert William Hardwig.
Together they raised five children, fished at their cabin, hunted at their shack, worked hard, volunteered much, and square danced their way through 49 years.
Signe was employed by Woolworth’s downtown and then Woolco in the International Mall as the stock room manager.
She volunteered many years and hours to the Falls Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, as a records clerk for the hospital, to the Veterans of Foreign War, Women of the Moose, Sons of Norway, and quilting for Zion Lutheran Church ministries.
Signe’s passions were her flower beds — at home and at the lake, gardening, fishing with Herbert, square dancing, getting her deer every year, canoe trips with family, and stitching the most quilts for church and family.
Following Herbert’s death in 1989, her loving attentions were turned to her dog, “Willow” and her cat, “Janie.”
Preceding Signe in death were her parents; her husband; two sisters, Mildred Aronson and Evelyn Richardson; and two brothers, Arthur Heiberg and George Heiberg.
Signe is survived by her children, JoAnn D. (Tom) Coulombe, Larry K. (Denice), Lance E. (friend Cheryl), Jean L. (Jim) Wood and Dr. Jeffrey T. (MaryKay); 11 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and 12 great-great-grandchildren.
She is also survived by two sisters, Esther Ludwig and Myrtle Constantine.
Services will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 3, at Zion Lutheran Church.
Pastor Stephen Olson will officiate.
Interment will be at Forest Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, Signe requested donations be made to Borderland Humane Society and Zion Lutheran Church.
Condolences may be left at www.greenlarsen.com.
Arrangements are with Green-Larsen Mortuary Inc., International Falls.
