Ardyce Zens

Ardyce Mae Zens was born on May 12, 1923, in Jackson, Minnesota to the late William Karl and Alice Mead (Ricketts) Goede. She was baptized at the United Methodist Church in Jackson and later confirmed in that same church. She received her early education in the Jackson County Country School and later graduated from Jackson High School in the Class of 1941. She then attended Mankato State University in Mankato, Minnesota and the University of Minnesota where she received her BS Degree and a Master of Arts Degree. On June 7, 1947, Ardyce was united in marriage to Donald W. Doll at the United Methodist Church in Jackson. They lived in Foley, Jackson and then Windom, Minnesota. In May of 1969, Don passed away. On December 17, 1971, Ardyce was united in marriage to Herman Joseph Zens at the First United Methodist Church in Windom. Through the years, Ardyce first taught in Jackson Country School and then at the elementary level in Windom before teaching reading at the high school level. She retired in 1984 after forty-years of dedicated work. Ardyce then attended seminary to prepare for the Diaconal Ministry. She worked for ten years for the First United Methodist Church in Windom as...[more]

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Christian Education Director before retiring in 1998. Ardyce was a longtime, dedicated member of the First United Methodist Church in Windom. She also was involved in her community as a member of the Sweet Adeline's Singing Group, a member of the DFL Party and a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority. In September of 2008, Ardyce became a resident of the Good Samaritan Society-Sogge Memorial in Windom where she remained until passing away peacefully on Tuesday evening, November 22, 2011, at the age of 88 years. Ardyce is survived by her seven children, Steve (Kathy) Zens of Currie; Stuart (Cindy) Zens of Sacramento, CA; Donald (Nancy) Doll of Brainerd; Randy (Charleen) Zens of Dalton; Jeffrey (Rose) Zens of Currie; Kim (Cindy) Zens of Hayes, VA; Kay (Kevin) Lofquist of Nelson; 14 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; three siblings, Ruth Murphy of Ft. Collins, CO; Gladys Marzahn of Lakeville; William Goede of Cold Spring; and many nieces, nephews and friends. Ardyce is preceded in death by her parents; infant girl Doll; two husbands, Donald Doll and Herman Zens; and one sister, Mildred Sydness.