Ardis "Ardy" Deckert

Ardis “Ardy” Viola (Christopherson) Deckert was born November 7, 1925 in Turner County, South Dakota to the late Edward and Ragna (Halvorson) Christopherson. Ardy was confirmed at the Vining Lutheran Church. For grades 1-8, Ardy attended Vining Public School, then continued her education at Henning High School graduating with the Class of 1944.

After high school, Ardy lived in Duluth and was employed as a welder for the Walter Butler Shipyard and then moved to New York City where she worked for Micamold Radio Corporation. Living in New York City allowed her to see and do many interesting things including attending Youth for Christ rallies and hearing the popular Christian vocalist, George Beverly Shea. This was a life changing experience.

Ardy was united in marriage on August 31, 1946 to Paul Deckert of Henning. They were married in the Vining Lutheran Church. Following their wedding, Ardy and Paul moved to St. Paul where she was employed at the Emporium Department Store. Eventually they purchased a farm south of Vining and Ardy became involved with the farm work, as well as jobs at local grocery stores, school cook, dental assistant, twenty-two years working with the developmentally challenged, and receptionist/switchboard operator at the Lake Region Hospital in Fergus Falls.

Singing was a family tradition.  Ardy and her sisters performed for local radio stations, funerals, weddings, PTA meetings, and other social gatherings. She also sang for the Sons of Norway choir directed by the famous Vining musician, Nels Olson.

Ardy was a lifelong member of Vining Lutheran Church teaching Sunday school and a member of WELCA, Johanna Circle, parish quilters, and the choir. She enjoyed rug-making, embroidery, gardening, reading, walking and spending time with her family.

On November 22, 2019, Ardy entered the joy and peace of heaven at Country Living Adult Foster Care in Henning, Minnesota at 94 years of age.  She will be dearly missed by her family and friends. Preceding Ardy in death were her husband, Paul; parents: Edward and Ragna Christopherson; brothers: Duane Christopherson, Ray Christopherson, Lee Christopherson; sister: Dorothy Holte; brothers-in-law: Lloyd Button, Ralph Holte, and Irvin Sandahl; sisters-in-law: Betty Jean Christopherson and Martha Christopherson.

Left to cherish Ardy’s memory are her sons: Randall (Elizabeth) Deckert, Greeneville, TN; Keith Deckert, St. Paul, MN; daughter: Renae Krabbenhoft, Hawley, MN; grandchildren: Brandon (Melissa) Deckert, Murfreesboro, TN; Regan Deckert, Greeneville, TN; Ryan (Terri) Krabbenhoft, Andover, MN; Aaron Krabbenhoft, Grand Forks, ND; 2 great-granddaughters: Ariel (Wes) Cantrell and Paige Krabbenhoft; siblings: Ed (Sylvia) Christopherson, Alexandria, MN; Jim (Sandy) Christopherson, Moorhead, MN; Elaine Button, Black Diamond, WA; Marian Sandahl, Fergus Falls, MN; Carol (Doug) Crice, Grass Valley, CA; sister-in-law: Lois Christopherson, Vining, MN; brother-in-law: Harold (Dolly) Deckert, Buena Park, CA; many nieces and nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.

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