Ardis Ann Alder

When you read this you’ll know I’ve traded my body, that was ready to leave, for a new experience.  I am Ardis Ann (Irving) Anderson Alder.  I died peacefully on Monday, May 9, 2016.  I was the daughter of Mae Erickson Anderson and William Walton Irving.  I was born in Logan, Utah on August 30, 1930.  I had one half-sister, Betty Fifield and two half-brothers, Thomas Kenneth Anderson and Wendon Nellie Anderson.

The best thing I ever did was to marry my lifelong love, Val Dean Alder, on May 1, 1953, in the Logan LDS Temple.  The most holy thing I’ve done was to have my three children:  Ryan Val Alder, Leanne Alder Smith and Marianne Alder Kittleson.  The words aren’t there to express the “heartsongs” they brought me.

My membership in the Church gave me opportunities to grow spiritually and fed that part of me that yearned for a closeness with Heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ.  The smartest thing I ever did was to start my college education at age 48.  I graduated in 1984 with honors and a sense of pure joy.  Cheers to that happy decade:  my 50’s!

The most soul-satisfying thing I’ve ever done was to realize my insatiable, ongoing discovery of the world and of life through my love of reading.  Words have been my soul’s blessing.  My love of gardening came because I couldn’t not do it.  It was part of me.  My favorite season, Fall, was a replenishment for me, a reward for endurance, a time of quintessential beauty.  To all friends I’ve loved, thank you, thank you!!  “Think where man’s glory begins and ends, and say my glory was to have such friends”

Ardis was preceded in death by her husband, Val, and an infant son, Rob.  She is survived by one son and two daughters, Ryan Val Alder (Kevin) of SLC, Utah; Leanne Smith (Lynn) of Bedford, WY; and Marianne Kittleson (Stephen) of Preston, ID.  She has eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Ardis’ life will be held at the Whitney, Idaho LDS Church on Saturday, May 14, 2016 at noon.  As per Ardis’ request, there will not be a viewing.  Interment will be in the Whitney Cemetery.  Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.webbmortuary.com