"My sincere sympathy to you, Marilyn, and your whole family. Shirley Udstuen Carpenter"
In loving memory of
Arden Kramersmeier
January 19, 1942 - February 27, 2020
Arden Leroy Kramersmeier 78, of Ledyard, IA passed away on February 27, 2020 while vacationing in Mesa, AZ due to complications from pneumonia.
Ardie was born January 19, 1942 to Alfred and Hulda (Clausen) Kramersmeier.
Ardie lived his entire life on the family farm outside of Ledyard. After graduating from high school Ardie enlisted in the Army where he spent time training as a rifle sharpshooter and a paratrooper. Ardie's enlistment ended early due to a parachute accident which left him partially disabled. This may have slowed him down a little, but it never stopped him or discouraged him.
He was known to raise a few hogs back in the day of the small family farms, but, for the most part he was a grain farmer.
Ardie liked to gather with friends, to garden and he enjoyed sharing the bountiful harvest that his gardens produced every year with family and friends. Reading the paper, napping, playing cards, visiting the casinos and bingo became favorite pastimes along with traveling and being with family.
Ardie and Geraldine Schaal were life partners for 45 years until her passing in 2013, and over time he reconnected with a special friend Emily Eisenman and for the past five years they found themselves sharing life's events together.
Ardie's greatest treasure to his family was his love for them. No matter what the event he was there to support them. He was a blessing to this family and although not by blood; he was ours and we were his.
We do not say goodbye today, but rather that we will see you later. Although he did not talk much of it; he knew and believed in the Lord Jesus Christ and because of this, one day those of us believing also shall meet him again.
We are proud to call Ardie - 'dad - and thank him for loving us, for caring for us, for being there for us. We embrace his love and will cherish his memory.
Rest in peace dad and dear friend, you are missed!
Ardie is survived by his sister Marilyn (Bob) Miller of Newville, PA; daughters, Ronda Cooper of Winnebago, MN, Jody (Bryan) Roarson of Sloan, IA, Sheila (Bruce) Helland of Winnebago, MN, Michele (Clint) Winter of Sherburn, MN, Mary Beth Schaal (Monty) of Knokesville, VA, and special friend Emily Eisenman and sons, Alan (Shelly) Eisenman, Jeff Eisenman, and Scott (Pat) Eisenman, along with numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Preceding Ardie in death are his father Alfred, mother Hulda, brother Gerald, life-partner Geraldine Schaal, son Monty Schaal, and son-in-law Keith Cooper.
Tributes
"Sincere Sympathy to the family and friends of Artie, he will be missed."
"He was a friend to many. Darwin helped him in the fields for many years. I am sure they will be having a long talk with memories"
"Sorry for your loss.He was always happy when we seen him usually at his favorite place a casino."
"Loved visiting with Artie and Geraldine and recently with him and Emily!! So happy that he and Emily came to see us in Arizona!! Never thought that we wouldn?t see him back home!! Our deepest sympathies to all of the families!! He will be missed very much!!"