Susan L. Hardy

Susan L. Hardy

KINGSFORD — Susan L. Hardy, 75, of Kingsford, passed away on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, at Roubal Care & Rehab Center in Stephenson.

Sue was born Jan. 29, 1948, in Norway, daughter of the late Col. Norman and Evelyn (Bryson) LaFave. She graduated from Iron Mountain High School in 1966 and was a lifelong resident of the area.

Sue started her career in real estate as a secretary / receptionist at Real Estate One. While working, she obtained her real estate and broker licenses in Michigan and Wisconsin and later purchased the business and opened Coldwell Banker and later Wildwood Realty, which she owned and operated until her retirement.

Throughout her career Sue was actively involved in many real estate organizations, which included being a member of the National Realtors Association, sitting on the Real Estate Board of Ethics, serving as President of the Upper Peninsula Association of Realtors and teaching Real Estate Law at Bay de Noc College. She was also instrumental in implementing the real estate Multiple List System (MLS) system in the area.

Sue was very involved in the community and was a member of the Zonta Club, the Jaycettes and the Chamber of Commerce, where she sat on the board. She was a member of St. Mary Queen of Peace Church.

Sue married George Hardy on Dec. 11, 1982, at Immaculate Conception Church in Iron Mountain.

Sue enjoyed water skiing, boating and spending time with her family, especially at the Escanaba and Menominee Marinas where their boats, Tranquility I, II and III harbored over the years.

She is survived by her husband, George; two sons, Todd (Paige) Gustafson of Grand Rapids and Jason (Angela) Gustafson of Green Bay, Wis.; a daughter, Jennifer (Randy) Buss of Wautoma, Wis.; grandchildren, Will and Luke Gustafson, and Brandon (Brittany) Lake; two great-grandchildren, Caleb and Connor Lake; two sisters, Rosemary Pesavento (Dennis Brand) and Pamela (Richard) Burbey; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Sue was preceded in death by a brother, Francis LaFave; and a brother-in-law, Wayne Pesavento.

Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 1 at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain. A memorial service will follow at noon at St. Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Kingsford. Fr. Michael Woempner will officiate.

Interment will be in Quinnesec Cemetery.

The family would like to thank Roubal Care & Rehab Center for their compassionate and loving care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Carmelite Monastery or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Condolences to the family of Susan Hardy may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.