Hardenia Adale Ressel went home to be with the Lord on October 30, 2022, at the age of 56, surrounded by her husband and children. This followed a short but valiant battle with cancer.
She was born on March 23, 1966, in San Antonio, Texas, to TSgt Hartwell and Pauline Ware. Her family lived in San Antonio and Germany before settling down in Colorado Springs. Hardenia accepted Jesus at a young age, which forever impacted how she lived her life. She was an excellent student and a strong athlete who graduated from Doherty High School and then earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado in Boulder.
She married her high school sweetheart, Mark Ressel, and for the next twenty-three years they lived in various places around the world as Mark pursued his career in the USAF until his retirement in 2012. Hardenia and Mark were married for thirty-four years, and during those years they were blessed with four children and three grandsons. She chose to stay at home and homeschool all four of her children, passing on a desire for learning and a drive for excellence. During this time, she exemplified a deep love of Jesus to her children, both through her words and through the way she lived her life.
Throughout her life, Hardenia’s spirit of grace, authenticity, and hospitality touched everyone she came in contact with. Her life was lived in worship to Jesus as she diligently ministered in whichever home church she attended through the years and in the past few years to mothers at Life Network and Mary’s Home. She welcomed people into her home, extended a listening ear, and walked through life with them in patience and love. She was a counselor to many, even before she achieved her dream of earning her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and became a counselor at Mayfield Counseling Center. Whether you knew her by name or talked to her just briefly, you could not help but be touched by her caring, fiery spirit that loved God and people with a passion few could ignore.
Hardenia leaves her husband, Mark Ressel; children: Sienna Ressel, Alyssa Dahlberg (Ethan), Mitchell Ressel (Moriah), and Lillian Ressel; three grandsons: Malachi, Ezekiel, and Micaiah; mother, Pauline Watkins; sister, Alicia Smith, along with countless other relatives and friends.
A Visitation will be held 5:00pm-7:00pm, Tuesday, November 8, 2022, at Shrine of Remembrance, “America the Beautiful” Chapel. A Memorial Service will then be held 2:00pm-3:00pm, Wednesday, November 9, 2022, at the World Prayer Center at New Life Church, followed by a light reception. Here is the live stream link for the Memorial Service: https://boxcast.tv/view/hardenia-ressel-funeral—november-9-2022-gptdkxker1myzjfwcrr2
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Life Network or Mary’s Home in the name of Hardenia Ressel.
Laura Bergee
4 Nov 2022Hardenia, David called me at 12:28 a.m. this morning sobbing. He read Alyssa’s post. I literally was shaking listening to him. Tears flow. Confusion settles around me. How can you be gone my beautiful friend. My heart is in so many places. Your kids. Mark. How will he go on. How will your kids travel this life without you. My heart is broke you are gone. I am so thankful for the cards we shared – forgiveness and renewal of friendship, even if in short texts. David and I were going to fly in and visit with you, we had just talked about it. I am so sad, sorrowful. How can these words here ever reach you. They won’t but my love will. My love of you is present. David’s love is present (he cried so hard over you, Hardenia) Our love is with you WITH HIM – our YESHUA! Mark’s love is there. The Kid’s love is there. Your momma’s love is there. Your Sis’s love is there. Love has gone with you, Dee. And I know – with no wavering in my mind or heart every one of your prayers remain before the Father and will be acted upon (answered) for the protection, guidance, and blessings of your family who mourn you. They will hear you in their lives. Deep in their souls your words, wisdom and laughter are sealed away, kept for when they need you the most! You live on in them here – your STRONG love remains. They live on in you there – LOVE has traveled with you!
You have found HEAVEN, Hardenia – NOT a grave.
HEAVEN and its PRINCE!
A home there.
Safe YOU are with Him. Safe WE (those left behind) are with Him.
Though the winds howl in my heart at the news of your death I recall in my mind a godly woman (YOU) who trusted The Father like no one I’ve ever known. ❤️
And so I will for the 2nd time in my life (first 7-27-01 when you left Illinois / now 10-30-22) raise up my hand and wave goodbye again. . .in tears.
Father God, please tell Hardenia Laura loves YOU better because she was my friend ❤️
I love you, Hardenia Ressel. ? I will see you again in our LORD’S KINGDOM ❤️❤️❤️ Laura
Cara Lockrem
5 Nov 2022Hardenia will be missed dearly by all who had the honor of knowing her. She was one of a kind, a bright light, an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter and friend. I am truly blessed to have called her friend.
Much love and prayers to her entire family. ?
Kauri Achiu (Antonio) and Family
5 Nov 2022Lifting up the entire Ressel Family in prayer. We are so sorry for your loss but rejoice that Aunty Hardenia is with our Lord. I will always remember her beautiful smile and loving countenance. I am grateful for the memories of speech and debate partner sessions in your folks home here in Hawaii. Aunty Hardenia will be surely missed. We love you Ressels!
Lou Ann Vollmer
5 Nov 2022There are no words that can convey the immense impact Dee had on those around her. Her light, laugh, and love shone brightly! Her life was lived authentically and for that, I am eternally grateful. Praying for Dee’s family, friends, and loved ones as we all navigate this world that has been left just a bit dimmer. May we all carry our memories of Dee into every interaction we have and continue to show the love of Jesus to those around us.
Pamela Jackson
5 Nov 2022My condolences to all the family. Joalena and I send love and light. We wished we could be there as Hardenia touched our lives when we 1st met her. I remember her often. She hugged me welcomed me immediately to the family. I remember she asked 2 questions which I was afraid to respond not because I was scared but because I was embarrassed. I responded honestly and the first thing she said was (I don’t remember Her words exactly), “I got you. You don’t even have to worry about it. “ She hugged me and held my hand while saying those words… I will forever treasure the time we shared. Until we meet again. ♥️
Glen Gazzingan
5 Nov 2022Mark, Our sincere condolences to your family. Hardenia, We thank you for your life, friendship and service. You will be missed greatly…….
Anonymous
6 Nov 2022Mark , we are praying for you all. Grace Church Fairview Heights Illinois
Pastor Hal and Pam Santos
Jenn Diliberto
7 Nov 2022It’s was an honor and privilege to know Hardenia and call her friend. She was always someone who had compassion, love, and genuine warmth for people. She always pointed me back to Jesus no matter what the circumstances were. I will miss her always. Until we meet again, friend.
Praying for her family and friends.
Bethany
8 Nov 2022I only had only just met Dee a few months ago. I felt an immediate connect with her–maybe it was that we were both homeschool moms. Maybe it was because we were both strong women who thought deeply and loved fiercely. I am so glad that I got a chance to meet her, if only fleeting on this side of Heaven.
john jackson jr
9 Nov 2022Pauline (mother), Alicia (sister) Mark and children and grandsons. It’s with heavy heart to have known her for all of her life. I used to hold and play with her and her sister while they were growing up in San Antonio in 1966. Their father, Hartwell Ware was my brother-in-law who passed away in 1978. I loved them so very much and Hardenia will truly be missed. I pray that sympathy surround all of the Ressels’ and my sister, Pauline Watkins at this difficult time. I’m Hardenia’s uncle and brother of Pauline. I will keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers. May God continue to bless you.
John Jackson Jr. (Uncles Johnny)
John Lindow
9 Nov 2022You will be sorely missed here my sweet friend, by everyone who knew you. Till that day that we can LAUGH again and I see that beautiful smile, enjoy your much deserved mansion and time with Jesus. ❤️???
Heather Zwicker
10 Nov 2022Thank you for streaming the service. It was wonderful to see the photos of Hardenia and see the children now that they are grown. The last time I saw the whole family was in Hawaii, maybe 2005 timeframe. I remember Lilly was very young. We first met the lovely Hardenia in 1997 when we moved to Virginia and she and Mark were our sponsors (to answer any questions we had about the military). From the moment I met Hardenia, I knew what a special person she was. Her laugh was infectious and she was a bright light in the world. Her love for Jesus was evident. I wish I would have had more time to spend with her (as Mark mentioned), but the military is so transient. A beautiful woman inside and out, she will be missed by all, My condolences and prayers are with every member of the Ressel family.
Peggy Wilber
27 Nov 2022To Hardenia’s Family,
Hardenia is in heaven with the Lord – and we are so sad to find out that you are without her now. Hardenia and I co-taught high school biology at High Country many years ago. What a gifted teacher she was! Our class was academic and so much fun! Our children enjoyed playing together at their home and ours before they moved… What a treasure Hardenia was – smart, fun, and her love for Jesus guided her in all of her relationships. Rebecca, Michael, and I send our condolences to her mother, sister, children, grandchildren, and relatives. Hardenia was so special.
Tammy Miller
30 Nov 2022I feel so Blessed to have known Hardenia & her Family. My girls and our family were fortunate enough to have the Ressels’ as next door neighbors in Illinois . Hardenia greeted me at the fence in the backyard shortly after they had moved in and I knew then that she was something extra special. She had a smile & eyes that was as bright as the sun and laughter that warmed my heart. I had accepted the Lord shortly before I met Hardenia and I believe that our meeting was a Devine appointment. Hardenia mentored and ministered to me in many ways being our neighbor and attending the same church. While I have lost touch over the years, when I have reflected on our Friendship, I feel Peace, Love and Joy. This is the essence of Hardenia. May God comfort and console you Mark, Sienna, Alyssa, Mitch, Lilly and Family.
Shay
14 Jan 2023Dee was my therapist, and I just found out this news, many months later. To say I’m heartbroken is an understatement. I wish I could have thanked her for being someone in my life when I was at my darkest. She was more than a therapist, she was a guiding light and someone I deeply admired. I wish I could have told her that. I’m so grateful for the things she taught me and will carry them with me. I’m so sorry to all the family. Sending love.
Juline Magruder Renfro
22 Mar 2023I was so saddened to learn of Hardenia’s passing in the Coloradan. I well remember her generous smile and kindness. She was truly a beautiful soul. My condolences to Mark and to their children, friends and family. May memories and your faith uplift and comfort you always.