Ardee M. Ahrendt

Ardee M. Ahrendt, 81, of Clear Lake, died on Oct. 16, 2013 at Concord Care Center in Garner, Iowa.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013 at Galilean Lutheran Church, 4454 255th St., Hwy. 18 W., Clear Lake, with Rev. Scot McCluskey officiating.  Friends may call two hours prior to the service at the church.  Inurnment was held in the Clear Lake Cemetery, Clear Lake.  Family suggests memorials to Galilean Lutheran Church.

Ardee was born to William W. Holling and Mae I. Stoakes on Nov. 3, 1931 in rural Rock County, Minn.  Ardee grew up in Hardwick, Minn., and graduated from Luverne High School in 1949.

On Sept. 16, 1951 Ardee was united in marriage to Dale H. Ahrendt in Hardwick.  She helped craft a marriage that lasted for more than 50 years.  Together they lived and worked in many communities raising four boys.

Ardee loved to play cards and said she was happiest in the kitchen baking and then sharing her homemade goodies with friends.  Ardee invested time and energy into building relationships and lived to hear us laugh.  She served the Lord Jesus Christ in her everyday life and dedicated 36 years to helping people with special needs.  At age 74, she retired from Opportunity Village.

  Ardee is survived by her four sons, Michael (Cindy), Ahrendt, Montgomery, Ala., Gregory (Teresa) Ahrendt, Sartell, Minn., Timothy (Mery) Ahrendt, Ashville, N.C., and Thomas (Amy) Ahrendt, Carlsbad, Calif.; grandchildren, Dean, Scott, David, Elizabeth, Angela, Spencer, Rachael, Laura, Sydney, and Donovan; 11 great-grandchildren;  brothers, Lloyd (Alta) Holling, Sarasota, Fla., and Allen (Shirley) Holling, Brentwood, Calif.; sister, Ruth (Dean) Dorsey, Pleasanton, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews.

Ardee was preceded in death by her parents; loving husband, Dale, on Feb. 16, 2002; two infant daughters, Theresa and Marcey; brother, Ron Holling; and a sister, Lorna Gonsalves.  

Ardee had many wonderful friendships throughout the Clear Lake community and all are valued and cherished beyond words.  The family thanks everyone for their prayers, love, and support.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.