Theresa Ann Hardcopf (Arndorfer), 90
On Wednesday, October 12, 2022, Theresa Ann Hardcopf (Arndorfer), a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother passed away peacefully at the age of 90. ‘Ann’ was born to Emil Frank and Dorothy Marie Arndorfer in St. Benedict, Iowa on May 10, 1932. After graduating from Lavern, Iowa High School in 1950, she moved to the big city (Washington DC) and worked as a typist for the FBI. Unfortunately, the passing of her father required Ann to return home in November 1950 to help her mother raise two younger siblings. It was this sense of unselfishness and duty to family that defined Ann and shaped her life. Ann subsequently started a job at the Iowa State Bank in Algona, Iowa.
Life proceeded smoothly until she met a dashing Air Force man at a summer dance in Algona in 1953. The young couple married on April 14, 1955, at St. Benedict Catholic Church, a stone’s throw from her home. Between 1954 and 1966, the young family moved eleven times, changing states, towns, jobs, apartments, and houses, finally settling in Owatonna, MN in 1966. Ann stayed home while the kids were young, making their clothes and serving ample amounts of love. Once the youngest was settled in school, Ann returned to the workforce in 1970 as a supervisor for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). After many recognitions for outstanding work, she successfully retired from the USDA thirty years later, in 2000.
While family was Ann’s greatest passion, she was generous in sharing her time and talents with others. She spent many years in service to Sacred Heart Catholic Church (choir, eucharistic minister) and the Owatonna Women's Club. She was also an election judge and unabashed Republican. Ann also founded a local cooking club, Pantry Secrets. In fact, cooking was her secret passion, to the delight of her family. Her cooking was so good that family members frequently recommended she start a restaurant. As the years passed, Ann ultimately chose sunshine in Arizona over snow in Minnesota. She kept busy there cheering and keeping score at Bob’s softball games, cooking, and socializing with neighbors, and hosting family.
Ann is survived by her husband (Robert William Hardcopf Jr.), four children (Jan Gail Bickley, Robert William Hardcopf III, Robin Ann Schmidt, and Rick Alan Hardcopf), six grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.
Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 20, 2022, at Sacred Heart Church, Owatonna. Friends may greet the family one hour prior to the service at 10 a.m. at the church.