Ardell Hegland

Ardell E. Hegland, 89, of Houston passed peacefully from this life into eternal life on October 3, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center surrounded by her family. She was born to Herbert and Frieda (Goede) Lemke on May 21, 1919, in La Crescent. She was baptized and confirmed at the South Ridge Immanuel Lutheran Church in rural La Crescent. She attended the Bush Valley Country School. On August 14, 1940, she married John H. Hegland, also at Immanuel Lutheran Church. John and Ardell farmed together on the family farm in Storer Valley in rural Houston until John's death February 2, 1995.They had four children-Audrey Hegland of Houston, Paul (Charlene) Hegland of Hiawatha, Iowa, Susan (Arlin) Peterson and Duane (Eileen) Hegland of Houston and a special nephew Bryan (Deb) Hegland of Winona, whom they loved like a son. They had 13 grandchildren-Jeanette (John) Jacobson, John (Candi) Woxland, James (Tina) Woxland, Traci (David) Bunch, Brandon Hegland, Shauna (Andy) Rosenow, Brooke Hegland, Adam Peterson, Amy (Jackson) Hayek, Stephanie Peterson, Anna, Thomas, and Emily Hegland. They also had 13 great-grandchildren-Matthew, Connie, Jack, Erik, Andy, Joseph, Samuel, Theo, Kayla, Andrew, Dane, Jonathon, and Riley.In addition to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Ardell is survived by two brothers, Lester (Lois) Lemke of Houston, and William Lemke of La Crosse and a sister-in-law Janice Lemke of Caledonia; special friends Judy Anderson and Cora Wheaton of Houston, and many nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and two brothers, Edgar and Donald Lemke.Ardell loved gardening and was a member of the Iris Garden Club. She was a member of the Cross of Christ WELCA and the Valley View Nursing Home Auxiliary. She was known for her wonderful cooking and baking and was happiest when she was spending time with her family, cooking for them, laughing and playing pinochle. She had a wonderful sense of humor even in the last hours of her life. Ardell had the unique and special gift of making each grandchild feel like her favorite.Memorials can be given to the John and Ardell Hegland Memorial Fund at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church or the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center Hospice Unit.The family wishes to thank the Houston Valley View Nursing Home and Heritage Court, Dr. David Momont, the Gundersen Lutheran Hospice Unit Team, and Angie Happel for their wonderful and compassionate care of Mom.Her last gift to her family was how to face death without fear through faith of God.
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