Thomas Dean Hardwick

Thomas Dean Hardwick was born on May 28, 1940, in Nyack, New York, and peacefully entered the presence of his Savior on November 13, 2024, at Wedum Hospice Home in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. Thom was the third son of four boys born to Harry and Edith (Horn) Hardwick; Stanley, Robert, and Leonard. Thom’s Grandfather Horn was a traveling evangelist and Thom’s Dad accepted Jesus through his ministry, and then married his daughter, Edith. Thom met Jan Elder, from Iowa City, on a blind date! Two years later they reconnected and were married on July 23, 1977.

When Thom was in high school, he attended a Billy Graham Crusade in New York City where he sang in the choir every night for sixteen weeks, where tens of thousands of lives were changed for eternity. Walking across the football field in Nyack, he realized that his interest in music could be used to win people to Christ. This became his life calling.

Thom earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from MacPhail School of Music in Minneapolis. Thom served as a faculty member at St. Paul Bible College (now Crown College) and was a staff member of Calvary Temple/Soul’s Harbor in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he worked with Pastor Gordon Peterson and Nathalie and Jack Haag. Thom and the Haags then worked with The Rex Humbard Ministries/The Cathedral of Tomorrow in Akron, Ohio.

In 1988, Thom and Jan accepted a call to North Heights Lutheran Church in Arden Hills, Minnesota, where he served as Minister of Music and Drama for 18 years. While ministering at NHLC, Thom and Jan together developed, produced, and directed The Passion Play, Splendor of Christmas, and Freedom Celebration. The ministry of these dramatic musicals was a fulfillment of his call to reach beyond the church walls to win people to Christ. At North Heights, he directed the Praise and Worship Choir, led worship, and oversaw the other music ministries.

Thom also served other churches and ministries, including events for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Thom and Jan returned to North Heights—Roseville in 2008 where he led worship and began the Kaleidoscope concerts. Thom and Jan served there until concluding his ministry nine months ago.

Well done, good and faithful servant!

Thom is survived by his wife of 47 years, Jan; two brothers Bob (Barbara) and Len; sisters-in-law Annie Elder and Joyce Hardwick; nieces Kimberly (Christopher) Carlson, Susan (James) Nordby; great-nephews David (Lily), Michael and Matthew. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Stan, and sister-in-law Peggy Elder.

memorial service

Celebration of Life and Faith

November 23, 2024

North Heights Church 1700 Hwy 96 W, Arden Hills, MN 55112, USA

Visitation at 10:00 A.M.

Service at 11:00 A.M.

Lunch to follow the service in the Great Hall

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services