"I just discovered Ardis?s obituary while recycling past issues of The Forum. I remember Ardis from the years we attended Trinity Lutheran in Moorhead. We had so much respect for her. She was a gentle, quiet, humble, positive woman, accomplished pianist, and supported Pastor Marv. I am glad to see she lived a long life. What beautiful, tender memories your family must have."
In loving memory of
Ardis J. Witte
March 9, 1922 - July 21, 2020
Ardis Jeanette Witte, 98, of Rochester, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her twin daughters on Tuesday, July 21, 2020 at Shorewood Commons in Rochester, MN.
Ardis was born March 9, 1922 in Minneapolis, MN to John and Agnes (Pederson) Nelson. After graduating from high school, Ardis went on to MacPhail School of Music and Minneapolis College of Business. On November 26, 1948, in Minneapolis, Ardis married Rev. Marvin Witte. Ardis and Marvin started their lives together in Chatfield, MN, where Rev. Witte was the first pastor at Chatfield Lutheran Church. They served Lutheran churches in Chatfield, Adams, Callender, IA, Detroit Lakes, and Moorhead, MN where Rev. Witte was the pastor and Ardis the organist. In 2000 they moved to Rochester to be closer to family. Ardis was an accomplished musician and taught piano and served as organist for numerous years. She always played with great expression and she loved gifting people with the beauty of music. She particularly enjoyed the music of Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg and Claude Debussy. During her early adult life, Ardis worked as a bookkeeper for Land O'Lakes Creamery and DuPont Paint Division in Minneapolis. She was an active member of Zumbro Lutheran Church where she sewed quilts in Mission Sewing and was a member of Mary Circle. She enjoyed reading, sewing, baking, hardanger embroidery, Blue Bunny chocolate ice cream, and took great pride in her Norwegian heritage. Ardis was a humble but proud woman. With her love of music, her Christian faith, church and family were very important to her. She will be missed.
Ardis is survived by her son, James (Sandi) Witte of Callender, IA; twin daughters, Kathryn (Scott) Duffus of Owatonna, Kristen (Bob) Giere of Rochester; grandchildren, Ben Duffus (Germany), Linnea Redinger, Kaia Liang (China), Erikka Giere, Alysson Pehoski, Rachel Ritland and Jacob Witte; great-grandchildren Ingrid and Arlo Pehoski, Charles, Walter and Eleanor Witte and daughter-in-law, Karen Witte. Ardis was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin; son, John Witte and granddaughter, Andrea Witte.
A celebration of Ardis's life will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, August 1, 2020 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, 5421 Royal Place NW, Rochester. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service. Rev. Vern Christopherson will be officiating. The service will be livestreamed beginning at 1:00 p.m. on the Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes Facebook page. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Zumbro Lutheran Church or to the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Safety guidelines, social distancing and masks will be required for all services.
Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Witte family. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com
Tributes
"Our deepest sympathy to Kristy, Bob, Alison and Ericka. Always looked forward to Ardis playing piano at Zumbro. When mom and daughter played the organ and piano on Palm Sunday, you didn't want it to end. Recently when visiting Shorewood with a friend, there was Ardis playing piano. A little bonus for those of us who had come to tour Shorewood. There seemed to be many who came down to enjoy her music. She is probably still making a joyful noise unto the Lord. Surely you were blessed to have her in your life. With Deepest sympathy, Gary and moose Doherty"
"Thanks for the live stream of the service. Sorry we couldn?t be there with you. We enjoyed all the pictures. Sending our sympathies to all. God Bless. Rose and Tracey."
"Kristy and Bob, We grieve with you on the loss of Ardis. She was a gifted person with a deep faith that she shared with all of us. We never will forget her worship leadership on the piano. We looked forward to those special times. We celebrate her life and rest in the hope of the resurrection in Jesus, the Christ!! Ann and Glenn Nycklemoe "
"My thoughts and my prayers are with your family. I was sorry to read of your mother?s passing. I met your parents when they were serving at Trinity in Moorhead. They were just the sweetest, lovely couple. My family loved them and what they brought to the Trinity family. My best to you, Beverly Boss"
"Such a beautiful soul. I was blessed by one of her final piano concerts in the halls of Saint Marys Hospital. Never has "Castle in the Clouds" ever been played with such grace and beauty. I will never forget you, Ms. Ardis. You gave me a tremendous gift and a most precious memory. Many blessings to your family. "
"Kris-Bob sorry about your loss of your mother Bob & Judy Adams & family "
"This lovely lady will be greatly missed by many at Shorewood Senior Campus. Her ready smile, sweet giggle, and beautiful music have made their way to heaven now. Love to all. - Bill and Arlene Johnson "
"I have known Ardis for 70 years. Marv and my husband, Zim, were good friends since college days. Ardis was a lovely person with a lot of musical talent. She lived a good long life and now she and Marv are together again. My sympathy to all of the family. Helen Zimmerman"
"Sending hugs and prayers to all of you. Your Mother was a wonderful and very talented lady. I will miss her music and Norwegian treats like Pizzelles. She is happy to be with your Dad. Blessings to everyone. Ruth"