Lori Dawn Hardin, 62, longtime resident of Oakville and currently of Burlington, died Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington.
Born March 2, 1962, in Des Moines County, she was the daughter of Ray Louis and Joyce Elaine Faris Hardin. She was devoted to her Lord and Savior, and will be remembered for her love, kindness, and unwavering commitment to her faith. She enjoyed her time with her dogs, Maddie and Mocha. They were very special to her.
Lori was a pre-school and kindergarten teacher at Faith Academy Christian School for two years. She worked at Country Bumpkins at Westland Mall for two years and Country Gallery at Westland Mall for two years. She also worked at the restaurant Pzazz Starlight Gardens, and the restaurant The Bread Basket as a cook. Lori substitute taught grades K-12 for Burlington Community Schools for thirty years, where she retired from.
She loved painting, drawing, crafting, mushroom hunting, fishing, baking, canning, and writing children's books. Lori wrote two children's books; Little Ducky Drummer and Squiggly and the Bully. These two books were self published.
Her greatest love was spending time with her family and church. She was of the Apostolic Christian faith. She loved children and will be remembered as the candy lady.
Survivors include her brother and sisters, Mike Hardin of Wapello, Tari Heiniger of Wapello, Gena (Tim) Heiniger of West Burlington, Joy (Frosty) Branch of Mediapolis; four nieces and five nephews, Megan (Scott) Spurgeon, Darcy Hardin, Kandi (Jody) Heiniger Jenkins, Kristen (Bryan) Brown, Nicholas (Cara Rabik) Heiniger, Adam (Jillian Paris) Heiniger, Dustin Hardin, Morgan (Leelu Daigle) Branch, Logan Branch, five great nieces; three great nephews and one great-great-nephew.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Joyce (Faris) Hardin, grandparents, Gene and Pauline (Fisher) Faris, Paul and Viola (Aberle) Hardin and her brother-in-law, Doug Heiniger.
Visitation will be from 12 to 7 p.m. with the family to receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, at Prugh Funeral Service, 3940 Division Street.
Family will receive friends from 9 to 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, at Mediapolis-Oakville Apostolic Christian Church. The funeral service for Ms. Hardin will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, at Mediapolis-Oakville Apostolic Christian Church with Ministers of the Church officiating. Burial will be in Edwards Cemetery. A time of food and fellowship will be held at the church following the burial.
Memorials have been established for the Apostolic Christian Church in Mediapolis and Southeast Iowa Hospice House.