Ardell Ann (Hauptmann) YOUNGWIRTH

YOUNGWIRTH, PETTITE, HAUPTMANN, YOUNG, ELWOOD, HOULAHAN, OXLEY

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/13/2016 at 16:52:48

Ardell Ann Youngwirth
August 25, 1921 --- May 5, 2016

Ardell A. Youngwirth, 94, of Bainbridge Island passed away peacefully surrounded by family on May 2, 2016. She had relocated to Huntington Beach, California to live with her daughter and family in March.

Ardell was born on Aug. 25, 1921 to Edward "ET" and Elenora (Pettite) Hauptmann in Corwith, Iowa. Graduating valedictorian in 1937, she then attended The Bernel School of Beauty in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Ardell owned and operated R-Dell's Beauty Shop for several years before starting her family. She was united in marriage to Richard "Dick" Youngwirth in 1941. Their three children, William "Bill", Julia, and Victoria "Vicki" (Elwood) were raised in Iowa. Ardell's love of reading expanded over 20 years as the librarian of the Corwith Public Library. She and her husband owned and operated a car wash and teen center before retiring to Bainbridge Island, Washington in 1986.

Ardell was very active and enjoyed her weekly games of Cribbage and Bingo at the Senior Center. She was known for her early morning walks where she had a smile and cheery hello for those she encountered. Ardell also enjoyed card playing, reading, baking, traveling, attending Sunday Matinees at the movie theater with her dear friend, Martha Roberts, and spending time with family and friends.

Ardell is survived by her children: son, Bill Youngwirth of West Yellowstone, Montana; daughters, Julia Young of Bainbridge Island, Washington; Vicki and husband Perry Elwood of Huntington Beach, California; grandchildren, Brian and wife Desiree Elwood and their children, Travis and Cody of Meridian, Idaho; Sarah (Elwood) and her husband Patrick Houlahan of San Diego, California; and her sister, Phyllis (Hauptmann) Oxley of Kanawha, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Elenora Hauptmann and Dick Youngwirth, her husband of 53 years.

Ardell was truly a treasure, an inspiration in our lives and will be dearly missed. Her wings were ready, but our hearts were not.

A memorial Mass will be held in her name on Friday, July 22, 2016 at 9 a.m. followed by a reception at Conger Hall, St. Cecilia's Catholic Parish on Bainbridge Island.

Kitsap Sun --- Bremerton, WA
July 12, 2016