Ardell Clair Amundson age 87 of rural Dovray passed away Monday, October 9, 2017 at Maple Lawn Nursing Home in Fulda. Memorial Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 14 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Dovray. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the church. Interment will be at Our Saviors Lutheran Cemetery in Dovray. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Westbrook Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Ardell Clair Amundson was born on January 10, 1930 in Slayton, Minnesota to Emil and Minnie (Busswitz) Amundson. He grew up south of Dovray and attended District #25 through the 4th grade, then attended school in Westbrook, graduating in 1948. Following graduation, Ardell attended Mankato Vocational School for Electronics. Upon completion, he came home prepared for the draft but was never called up to service. He then worked in carpentry and farmed with neighbors until going on his own in 1956. Ardell farmed his land well into his 70’s, then he rented his land. At the age of 86, Ardell decided to “slow down” and sell some of the cattle and focus on his John Deere 2 cylinder collection. In 2016 he began spending time at Maple Lawn Estates in Fulda while continuing to spend his days at the farm. Ardell was a “good neighbor” and was a special man for many young people that baled hay with him and listened to his stories. He was a great mechanic and an amazing encyclopedia of John Deere history. Ardell was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Dovray, Minnesota where he served as usher for an amazing 75 years! He was a member of the Westbrook Kiwanis Club. Ardell enjoyed spending time with family, neighbors, the farm and his dog Susan. He was the go to guy if you needed information on all things “green and yellow”.
Ardell is survived by his nephew Gary (Pat) Amundson of Pequot Lakes; nieces: Karen (Mark) Gust of East Grand Forks and Marie (Jason) Erickson of Westbrook; and many other wonderful relatives and friends in the area. He will be lovingly remembered by his “good neighbors” Skip and Jeri, Butch, Jimmy, Loy and their families. He is preceded in death by his parents Emil and Minnie, brother and sister-in-law Harley (Mavis) Amundson and sister Eunice Amundson.
Ardell always gave me a warm greeting whenever I would see him in Dovray Church.
He was a great neighbor and friend. His faithfulness to Our Savior’s Church in Dovray
was amazing. The last time I saw him was when I was there in August, and he read
the scriptures. He was easy to hear and understand. He will be missed by fellow church
members, neighbors, and friends.
I am sincerely sorry that I can not be at this Memorial for cousin Ardell. Through the years I have been able to visit with him when I spent some time with Cousin Donna Nelson. She would always invite Ardell over for a wonderful meal an so I kept track of him also. I also miss Harley and Mavis when I get to Westbroook on occasion. To all you people who have been touched by Ardell’s life, you and I must accept God’s Will and just remember him with the kindest thoughts!
With Sympathy, Cousin Donna Ketchum Anderson
I will remember Ardell with great affection. Coming home after a semester at college, or after years away, he would be at Our Savior’s to greet me with a big smile, a warm handshake and even a hug, on occasion. I will remember the twinkle in his eye and his kind and gracious ways.
I remember Ardell as always a friendly and welcoming usher at Our Saviours Lutheran church in Dovray. When I would attend services after being away at college or when returning to Dovray with my family he who always say hello and ask about what I was up to. A good guy to be sure!
Indeed, Ardell was a good neighbor! I can’t imagine Our Savior’s without him. Thinking of you, Karen, Marie, Gary.
I remember spending many days at Ardell’s baling hay and chopping silage. Harley and Ardell would come help our family harvest and we would return and help them harvest. Some of my fondest memories are working along side the Amundson brothers, they always treated and fed you well. They made it fun to work there. The one thing I remember is that Ardell’s equipment always worked and run like new. I was fun to operate because it worked like it was suppose to. I will forever miss going to the Amundsons Farms. Jeff Lamb