Ardis Harmsen

Ardis Harmsen, 84, of Marshalltown, formerly of Grundy Center, died late Wednesday evening, November 11th, at Southridge Nursing and Rehab Center. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, November 13th, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. She will be laid to rest in the Maple Hill Cemetery north of Gladbrook. Visitation will be 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 parent‚s 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 Garwin. To them three children were born: 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 Auxillary, United Methodist Church, and a former 4-H leader in Story City for five years. Ardis is survived by her three children: Beverly Harmsen of Marshalltown, Shirley (Rick) Frette of Ames, and Gary Dean Harmsen of Grain Valley, MO., grandchildren: Stefanie (Ryan) Charlson of Story City, Ryan Frette of Tempe, AZ, Michael Harmsen of Grain Valley, MO, Nichole (Trent) Roehler of Independence, MO, and Zander Snow of Peculiar, MO.; great-grandchildren- Ava and Ali Charlson, Avery and Trenton Roehler, Easton and Carter and Grace Harmsen, a brother Duane (Emma) Richards of Marshalltown, brother-in-law Donald Harmsen 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.