Ardis Larson

April 15, 1935 - October 18, 2015

Ardis C. Larson, 80, of Apache Junction, AZ, formerly of Bode, passed away October 18, 2015 at the Apache Junction Health Care Center. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Bode. Interment will be in St. Olaf Cemetery, Bode. Visitation is from 5-7 p.m. Friday at the church. The Mason-Lindhart Funeral Home of Humboldt is assisting the family. Ardis Cecilia Christianson, the daughter of Arthur Melroy and Esther C. (Rolland) Christianson, was born April 15, 1935 at Bode, Iowa. She received her education at Bode and graduated from Bode High School. She was united in marriage to Donald Larson in 1953. The couple made their home in Overland Park Kansas where Mr. Larson served as a hospital administrator and Ardis was busy as a homemaker and mother to the couples 4 children. As her family grew, Ardis, who was a natural salesperson, represented Mary Kay Cosmetics, Electrolux Vacuum, and health food companies in her free time. She also helped maintain private homes in Overland Park as well as the YMCA and was active in the Lutheran Church. In their retirement, Ardis and Don resided in Bode and wintered in Arizona. Mr. Larson passed away in June of 2003 and Ardis continued to maintain her home until moving to Apache Junction. Ardis was active in comedy productions at the Arizona Opry where she performed her character “Granny” for over 10 years. Ardis is survived by her children, Terry Larson of Apache Junction, AZ, Denise Miller of Apache Junction, AZ, Margery Switzer of Joplin, MO, and Doug (Denise) Larson of Rifle, CO; brothers, Richard (Jeanette) Christianson of Humboldt, Virgil (Alice) Christianson of California, Don (Marilyn) Christianson of Bode, and Rolland “Chris” (Melinda) Christianson of Florida; and her nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald; sisters, Bernice French and Ruth Schumacher; and her brother, James Christianson.