Ardis Jane Peterson Swenson
Ardis Jane (Peterson) Swenson, 84, Thompson, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023 at MercyOne North Iowa Hospice, Mason City. Funeral services will be held at 10:30a.m., Saturday, Jan. 7, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Buffalo Center, Iowa with Pastor Eric Hullstrom officiating. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until service time at the church on Saturday. Burial will take place in Rose Hill Cemetery, Thompson.Memorials may be designated to Riverside Bible Camp, Story City, Hope 4 Kids International, Phoenix, Ariz.
Ardis Jane (Peterson) Swenson was born Jan. 11, 1938 in Freeborn County, Minn., to parents Herbert and Dena (Halvorson) Peterson. She grew up on her mother’s family farm, southeast of Emmons, Minn. Ardis was baptized Feb. 6, 1938 and confirmed June 22, 1952 at Somber Lutheran Church, east of Lake Mills. She attended country school before starting fourth grade in Lake Mills, graduating from LMHS in 1956. Shortly after, she began working in Minneapolis, Minn., as a secretary for a short time.
On April 23, 1960, she married Dick Swenson at Somber Lutheran Church and they were blessed with two children: Michael D. Swenson July 8, 1961; and John M. Swenson, Aug. 15, 1966).
Throughout her life, she worked many different jobs, and was also very active at Bethany Lutheran Church in Thompson, where she taught Sunday School, Bible School, and took part in WELCA circles. After retiring, she became interested in quilting, sewing many quilts for Lutheran Relief, which was such a joy for her. Most recently, she was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Buffalo Center.
Ardis and Dick traveled to many different states throughout their lifetime. Nature and the outdoors were always special to them.
According to Ardis, “in 1971, when I asked God to be to be merciful to me, a sinner—immediately my heart was opened to God’s grace, and the truth of God’s Word entered my heart and at that exact time, he became my Savior and Lord.”
Ardis is survived by her daughter in-law, Joan (Brennan) Swenson, West Des Moines; grandchildren: John Brennan Swenson and Annika Rose Swenson, both students at the University of Iowa, Iowa City; her siblings: Darlene (Dwayne) Kittelson, Richard (Sonja) Peterson, Larry (Debbie) Peterson, and Diane Naser; brothers in-law, Jerry Goette, and Ade (Anne) Swenson; as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended relatives
Ardis is preceded in death by her husband, Dick Swenson, October of 2022; two sons: Michael Swenson in October of 2017; and John Swenson, August of 1966; both parents, Herbert (Dena) Peterson; sisters: Maxine (Bob) Gregerson and Delores Goette; father and mother in-law, Adolph (Rose) Swenson; brothers and sisters in-law: Donald Swenson, Alan (Sharon) Swenson; Betty Ann Swenson, and Erwin Naser.
