Ardice Pierson

Ardice Pierson

Ardice Eileen (Nordhougen) Pierson, the daughter of Truman and Evelyn (Frethiem) Nordhougen, was born in the home of her parents 2 miles south of Leeds, North Dakota, on November 4, 1936.She died at the age of 74 years on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at the Altru Medical Center in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

Ardice was raised in the rural Leeds home of her parents and attended a country school near her home.She completed her education at Leeds High School, graduating in 1954.On November 28, 1954, she was united in marriage to Douglas Pierson.Following their marriage, the couple lived in Tioga and then in Leeds for a few years.In 1960, the couple moved onto Ardice’s parents’ farm in rural Minnewaukan, which they operated until retiring from active farming in 1993.In 2003, the couple moved to Rugby.A loving wife, mother, grandmother, and homemaker, Ardice also worked outside the home for a few years at Leonardo’s Pasta and Integrae Foundry in Cando..

She was a former member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Minnewaukan, and its sister church, Stoney Lake Lutheran Church, rural Minnewaukan, where she had been a longtime Sunday School teacher. She was,currently, a member of First Lutheran Church, Rugby.Ardice was the first woman to serve on the Minnewaukan school board and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and family gatherings.She was also an accomplished seamstress.

Survivors include her husband; one son, Keith and his wife, Debbie, Minnewaukan; one daughter, Wanda and her husband, Greg Tinker, Grand Forks; three grandchildren, Michael (Jennifer) Gefroh, Kayla (Brad) Hager, and Hannah Pierson; seven great-grandchildren, Chloe, Gannon, Camden, and Jazlyn Gefroh and Braxton, Olivia, and Korbin Hager; one sister, JoAnn White, Melbourne, Florida; three brothers, Robert (Vi), Coulee Dam, Washington, Truman “Tom” (Debra), Arizona, and David, Williston; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.She was preceded in death by one brother, Gary, and her parents.

Funeral services were held Friday, April 15, 2011, at the First Lutheran Church, Rugby, with spring burial in Knox Lutheran Cemetery, Knox.

Pastor Mike Pretzer and Pastor Sharon Baker officiated. Music was provided by Craig Wollenburg, vocalist, and Barb Lee, organist.

Casketbearers were Michael Gefroh, Greg Tinker, Brad Hager, Peter Spicer, John Percifield, and Stanley Pierson.

Arrangements by Anderson Funeral Home, Rugby.