Anton “Tony” Hardyk, 96, of Sioux City, moved on to his real home in heaven when he passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, February 8th, at a local hospital.

Services will be at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Sioux City, Iowa, with Pastors Russell Senstad and David Zirpel officiating. Visitation will be Sunday, February 15th, from 4-6pm with a Prayer Service at 6pm. Funeral service will be Monday, February 16th, at 11AM. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City.

Tony was born at home on March 1, 1929, in Sac County, Iowa, to A. J. and Hattie (Hensel) Hardyk. He was the only boy, with three sisters, and enjoyed growing up on the farm. He loved reading and would look forward to the books his country school teacher at Cedar No. 2 would order in. When the school was closed, his father bought the “library” cabinet which still remains in the family.

After graduating high school in Lytton, Tony kept busy farming with his dad and honing his skills as a craftsman, building pieces of furniture, and taking many photographs. He joined the Army and served as a Radio Operator during the Korean War. After serving our country for two years, he returned home to farm. But a blind date with a gal who had the best smile ever changed everything. On January 16, 1955, Tony married the love of his life, Alice “Billie” Berg. The couple farmed just outside of Sac City. When their first child was born, Tony fulfilled his dream of being a husband, father and provider. The family of three moved to Sioux City in 1959 when Tony started his career with Ozark Airlines. Two more children made the family complete.

Tony was known for his flower and rose gardens, and the white picket fence he built that surrounded their home on the corner of Dodge and Alice. He was a kind, gentle man who was as comfortable puttering in his workshop as he was in the garden choosing a rose for his beloved wife. They were always working on something, together. He enjoyed carving special projects that Alice would then paint, melding their talents together. Tony and Alice loved to travel, both by car and by air. Tony was especially proud to be able to take his family on vacations through the airlines. He loved being involved with the air industry. He spent many precious hours playing and going on walks with his grandchildren. He worked several years at Pioneer Cabinetry after retiring from TWA. A wine named in his honor, “Uncle Tony,” has won 2 Bronze Medals at the Iowa State Fair. After Alice passed in 2021, Tony moved to “The Pointe,” where he enjoyed meeting new people, reading books from their library and hanging out with his “great group of guys.” His faith was very important to him.

He is survived by daughters Rhonda (Kirk) Clausen of Henderson, Nevada; Melanie (Roy) Olsen of Sioux City; son Tim (Denée) of LeMars; grandchildren Trent, Trevor, Kalin, Max, and Mackenzee; great-granddaughters Alayna and Denver; great-grandson Ryder; sisters-in-law Judy Berg and Shirley Berg; brother-in-law Norman Larson; and many nieces and nephews.

Tony was preceded in death by his wife, Alice; his parents; his in-laws, Richard and Hulda Berg; his sisters Norma Astleford, Ruth Winebrinner, and Dorothy Weichert; and 3 brothers-in-law.

Memorials may be directed to Redeemer Lutheran Church or Sunrise Retirement Community.