Marilou Hardesty
May 28, 1940 - January 09, 2025
Obituary
Marilou (Costello) Hardesty was born in Red Lodge, MT on May 28, 1940 to Pauline Costello. She passed away from health complications on January 9, 2025 at the age of 84 in Billings, MT. She was surrounded by family the night of her passing.
Marilou was a beloved family member and friend. Her home was the host to countless family dinners and holiday celebrations. If there was an excuse to cook a prime rib or turkey dinner, Marilou was all over it. She lived in that home, which was located just down the street from her sister, Barbara Nauman, for nearly 60 years.
Marilou is of Yugoslavian descent and grew up in the small town of Red Lodge, MT. Her grandmother came over to the United States as part of the immigration boom of the late 19th century when settlers flocked to the small town for the rich coal mining business.
She had a full and enjoyable life. Marilou loved to camp in the Beartooth Mountains and go fishing on the Stillwater. She and her late husband, Jan Hardesty, loved to ride his Harley and dirt bikes all over the place. They would often take their two children, Jana and Jeff, camping with them and would hike into the gorgeous lakes of the surrounding area.
Marilou had many passions and interests. She had a closet full of special family recipes and clippings from food magazines she would like to try. Cooking was a center point in her life as it was a time she could gather with family. In addition to cooking, she was passionate about her two favorite sports: football and horse-racing. She was a long time Raiders fan. Each year when the Kentucky Derby came around no one was to bother her while she watched. Another great passion of Marilou's was listening to music. She loved collecting CD's and had a special love for opera tenors Pavarotti and Andrea Bocelli.
Marilou is survived by her daughter, Jana Vigesaa; grandchildren Gene and wife Brooklyn Hauck, and Carlee Vigesaa; great-grandchildren Braelyn and Harper Hauck; sister Barbara Nauman; nephew Kent Nauman and niece Susan Kautz; and numerous other nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by husband Jan Hardesty; son Jeff Hardesty; and son-in-law Bryan Vigesaa.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday January 18, 2025 at Dahl Funeral Chapel.