Obit: Stern, Ardelle Mae (1924 – 2010)

Contact: Dolores

Surnames: Stern, Erickson, Bolger, Johnson, Kyser, Blazek, Marden, Troutman, Goff, Saley

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI.) February 3, 2010

Stern, Ardelle Mae (24 May 1924 – 28 January 2010)

Ardelle Mae Stern, 85, entered eternal life Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010, at Black River Falls Memorial Hospital under the care of Black River Hospice.

She was born May 24, 1924, in the Town of Rockland to Elmer and Bernice Erickson.  Ardelle graduated from Melrose High School and worked in the Melrose area.   After high school she entered the Jackson County Dairy Queen contest in 1942 and was elected Miss Jackson County.  She was honored to have the admissions building at the Jackson County Fairgrounds dedicated in her name.

In June of 1943 she married Wilmer Stern, also of Melrose, and together they raised eight children, Diane (John) Bolger, Arlen (Bette) Stern, Brian (Barb) Stern, Pam (Bill) Johnson, all of Melrose, Cathy (Larry) Kyser of Sparta, Patti (Jerry Blazek) of Alma Center, Randy Marden of Nekoosa and Faith Troutman of College Station, TX.

Ardelle has 30 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren plus four more on the way. She also has two foster daughters, Celeste and Murrie Goff.

The number is hard to count because Grandma Stern had so many “grandkids” in her extended family that became close to her over the years and loved coming to her house for special treats and hugs.

Ardelle is survived by one brother, Gene Erickson, of Greenville, SC, and Gene’s daughter, Paula of Nashville, TN.

Ardelle and Wilmer farmed in Jackson County for many years near North Bend, where they raised their children. They sold their farm in 1980 and moved to the village of Melrose, where they enjoyed many years of retirement surrounded by family and friends.

Ardelle was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; two sons-in-law, John Saley and Larry Kyser; and one grandchild, Steven Marden.

Visitation was held Monday, Feb. 1, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Zwickey Funeral Home in Melrose.  Funeral services were held at the North Bend Presbyterian Church Tuesday, Feb. 2, at 11 a.m.  A luncheon was served at the Melrose American Legion after the services.  Interment was at the Melrose Cemetery.

Zwickey Funeral Homes, Melrose Chapel assisted the family with arrangements.