Ardis (Richards) Harmsen (1925-2010)

HARMSEN, RICHARDS, LEVIS, FRETTE, CHARLSON, ROEHLER, SNOW

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 11/24/2010 at 09:04:49

THE STORY CITY HERALD, Story City, Story County, Iowa, Wednesday, November 10, 2010.

Ardis Harmsen, 84, of Marshalltown, formerly of Grundy Center, died late Wednesday evening, November 10th, at Southridge Nursing and Rehab Center.

Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, November 13th, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. She was laid to rest in the Maple Hill Cemetery north of Gladbrook. Visitation was from 5-7:00 p.m. Friday at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com . The Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Ardis and her family. Ph 641-844-1234.

Ardis Irene Harmsen was born on December 9th, 1925, in rural Montour, Tama County, Iowa, the daughter of Jesse and Alice (Levis) Richards. She grew up in the area and attended Brick and Whip-poor-will country schools. She later graduated from the Garwin High School, attended the Iowa State Teachers College (now UNI) in Cedar Falls and taught country schools.

On April 15th, 1945, she was married to Lloyd Albert Harmsen in her parents' home south of Garwin. When Lloyd returned from serving in the US Air Force in 1947, they farmed north of Garwin for two years before moving into Gar-win. Three children were born to them: Gary Dean, Beverly Ann and Shirley Irene. They lived in Garwin, Coralville, Story City and Grundy Center. Ardis moved into Marshalltown in the summer of 2005.
She belonged to the American Legion Auxiliary, United Methodist Church, and a former 4-H leader in Story City for five years.

Ardis is survived by her three children: Beverly Harm-sen of Marshalltown, Shirley (Rick) Frette of Ames, and Gary Dean Harmsen of Grain Valley, Missouri, grandchildren: Stefanie (Ryan) Charlson of Story City, Ryan Frette of Tempe, Arizona, Michael Harmsen of Grain Valley, Missouri; Nichole (Trent) Roehler of Independence, Missouri; and Zander Snow of Peculiar, Missouri; great-grandchildren Ava and Ali Charlson, Avery and Trenton Roehler, Easton, Carter and Grace Harmsen, a –brother Duane (Emma) Richards of Marshalltown, brother-in-law Donald Harm-sen of Reinbeck and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Lloyd in September of 2000, sister Evelyn Novotny in August 2000, and sister-in-law Janelle Harmsen in May 1997.