Ardis Winifred (Peterson) Meinecke

RUSHFORDArdis Winifred (Peterson) Meinecke was born on April 9, 1918, in Rushford, Fillmore County, Minnesota. She was the third child of Helmer and Lettie (Bathrick) Peterson. Ardis was baptized and confirmed in her faith at Rushford Lutheran Church in Rushford. Ardis had very deep roots in the Rushford community; her Grandparents, John and Lena (Lea) Peterson came to Rushford in 1877. She received her education in Rushford and was a graduate of the Rushford High School Class of 1935. On April 22, 1939, Ardis was united in marriage to Hilton Langum in Decorah, Iowa. Ardis and Hilton resided in Rushford, where they built their home at the foot of Magelssen Bluff, and after retirement, spent their winters in Texas and summers in Rushford. They shared 37 years of marriage, until Hilton passed away on January 2, 1976.Ardis continued to winter in Texas. On October 3, 1990, Ardis was united in marriage to Allen Meinecke. Ardis and Allen resided in Donna, Texas, until August of 2006, when they moved back to Rushford, Minnesota. They shared 15 years of marriage, until Allen passed away on August 26, 2006. Ardis held employment at the First National Bank in Rushford for 35 years. She was a member of the Rushford Lutheran Church. Ardis had a zest for life. In her younger years, she enjoyed fishing in the streams around Rushford, hiking in the bluffs, and tending to her flower gardens. She loved spending time with her friends, dancing, and playing cards. Ardis also enjoyed playing the organ and played in a band when she lived in Texas. Her house was always beautifully decorated at Christmas. She always enjoyed the time she spent in the warm Texas sun. She loved cats and at one time had two silver Persians. When she needed assistance with her daily care, in January of 2014, Ardis became a resident of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Nursing Home in Rushford. She passed away there on June 18, 2014 at the age of 96.Ardis loved Rushford and its people and was happy that she moved back home. She was so grateful to everyone for their help and concern. Ardis will be dearly missed. Ardis is survived by her stepdaughter, Linda Crowell of Clear Lake, Iowa; stepson, Rick Meinecke of Minnetrista, MN, nephew, John Behmler and his wife, Ann of St. Paul, MN; great-nephews, Robert Hantge and his wife, Christie of Hutchinson, MN, Richard Hantge and his wife, Wendy of Hutchinson, MN; great-nieces, Jennifer Kirk and her husband, John of Menomonie, WI, and Elizabeth Busch and her husband, Josh of Minneapolis, MN; great-great-nieces and nephews, Nicolas Hantge and his wife, Carrie of Denver, CO, Andrew Hantge and his fiancée, Claire Ulrich of Virginia Beach, VA, Michael Hantge of Hutchinson, MN, Jack Hantge of Hutchinson, MN, Gavin Hantge of Hutchinson, MN, Jay Hantge of Hutchinson, MN, Caitlin Kirk of Menomonie, WI, Nora Kirk of Menomonie, WI, Emma Busch of Minneapolis, MN; and many friends. Ardis is preceded in death by her parents, Helmer and Lettie Peterson; first husband, Hilton Langum; second husband, Allen Meinecke; sister, Frieda Behmler and her husband, Edward; brother, Johnny Peterson as a young child; niece, Maureen (Behmler) Hantge. Ardis will be laid to rest at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 26, 2014 at Rushford Lutheran Cemetery. Memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Rushford led by Reverend Roger Michaelson.Please share a memory of Ardis with her family, sign the guestbook, and view her video tribute online at www.hofffuneral.com.
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/503402