Ardith L. "Ardy" Peterson

Ardith Lois "Ardy" Hansen was born on Christmas Day, 1934, to Alfred and Alice (Peterson) Hansen, on a farm near Hitterdal, MN. She was baptized and confirmed at the Salem Lutheran Church, in Hitterdal. She grew up and attended 12 years of school in Hitterdal, and graduated in 1952. She attended Interstate Business College until her marriage to Clair Peterson on January 24, 1953, in Hawley, MN.

They lived in Jacksonville, FL; Moorhead, MN; Bellingham, MN; Dilworth, MN; and Bagley, MN; before returning to Moorhead in 1963. Ardith graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead, with a BS in Elementary Education; and later earned her Fifth-Year Degree. She taught in the Fargo Public School System (Lincoln 2 years and Carl Ben Eilson 26 years) for 28 years.

Everyone who knew Ardy--from her family on, knew she was a master at managing the calendar and clock for any and all activities. She always thought summers went too fast--in fact, one of her favorite sayings on the Fourth of July was: "Well, it's the Fourth--summer is over." She often dismissed problems by saying: "Well, whatever will be, will be."

Ardy was good at puzzles, problems, and games--in fact, Clair said she was the toughest and luckiest Cribbage player against whom he had ever played.

She was a fantastic cook and preparer of foods. And, somehow, she always seemed to have prepared the favorite food for each member of the family, whenever they came to visit.

Ardy and Clair enjoyed years in the Lakes country—starting with their cottage on Lake Ida (1967-1978). In 1977, they purchased a farm on the west shore of Big Cormorant Lake. Over the years (1977-2010) they built and lived in three homes on their farm/lake property. In 1983, they sold their Moorhead home and commuted to their respective schools until they retired in 1993. In the Spring of 2010, they purchased a home in Village Green South in Moorhead. Later that year, they sold their last lake home and moved back to Moorhead.

Ardy and Clair were involved in real estate development in the Big Cormorant Lakes area for many years. She was invaluable as an interior designer; and it became her job to furnish and decorate all properties they built or refurbished. During their retirement they became involved in real estate development in Arizona.

After their retirement, they spent their summers in their Minnesota homes and their winters in their homes in the Rio Grande Valley (Weslaco, TX 1995-1999), and their home in Peoria, AZ, from 1999 until 2015. Before and during retirement Ardy and Clair traveled extensively.

Ardy is survived by her husband, Clair; her children, Chad (Linda) Peterson of Cedar Rapids, IA, Connie (Mark) Weideman of Moorhead, MN, Charles (Diane) Peterson of Lake Bronson, MN, Candace (Roger) Peterson of Savage, MN; her grandchildren, Eric Peterson, Jeffrey Peterson, Kristen (Jeff) Peterson Lee; and great-granddaughter, Kaleigh Peterson.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her two sisters, Evelyn (Frankie) Burnside, Opal (Harvey) Burnside, and grandson, Connor Peterson.

She loved and enjoyed her family; colleagues, neighbors, friends, and her many students through the years... She enjoyed reading, baking, sewing, embroidery, traveling, collecting dolls, clocks, and calendars.

Ardy will be dearly missed by any and everyone whoever met and knew her.

In lieu of flowers and memorials, please make a gift or contribution to the Clair E. and Ardith L. Peterson Endowment Fund at (MSUM Foundation, P.O. Box 657, Moorhead, MN 56561.)

A private burial will be held at a later date.