DODGE CITY – Denise R. Hardy, 76, passed on Friday, February 27, 2026, at St. Catherine's of Dodge City after spending a blessed day with her bestie, Katie Adams.

She was born November 6, 1949, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the daughter of Delbert and Eva (Atchley) Vale.  She graduated from high school at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and attended college at the University of Northern Colorado.  On February 5, 1972, she married Michael Hardy in Black Forrest, Colorado. They lived in California for a while before settling in Cimarron, Ks for many years. Denise and her husband owned and operated the Bedroom Place with locations in Dodge City, Garden City and Liberal. Denise dreamed of starting a restaurant, and the West Side Grill was born on W. Wyatt Earp Blvd.  Later she moved to Manitou Springs, Colorado where she owned and operated Kaleidoscope with her husband. After her husband passed, she moved to Ft. Wayne, In to be close to her grandkids, before she settled back in Dodge City. She worked at Arrowhead West and continued volunteering there after she retired. She also volunteered with Seven Baskets Full Ministry, Dodge City.

Survivors include: her daughter, Dallas Dutka, Superior, Colorado; 3 grandchildren; Lili, Elle and Liam Dutka; and 2 brothers, Derek and Daryl Vale, both of Dodge City.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Cody Michael Hardy, her husband Michael on July 3, 2004, and 2 sisters, Cassandra Vale and Dana Hornberger.

Memorial services will be announced and held this summer.  There will be no public viewing; cremation has taken place.

The family suggests memorials to Arrowhead West in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801.