Ardis “Ardie” Norene Dusenberry was born on January 12, 1931 in Humboldt, Nebraska to Lloyd and Ila Gould and passed away on November 29, 2016 in Atlantic, Iowa. She graduated from Humboldt High School in 1949 and then graduated from Tarkio College in 1954. Ardis married Pierce Dean Dusenberry on September 18, 1960. They were blessed with three children; Douglas, Stuart and Terri. Ardis and Dean raised their family in Glenwood, Iowa, where Ardis was involved in many activities and organizations and taught piano lessons to scores of children in the community. She was a member of P.E.O. Chapter FF for over 50 years. In recent years, Ardie lived in Atlantic, Iowa. She was adventurous, loved to travel, and lived her life making new memories. Ardis loved Christmas and a long Sunday afternoon ride in the car, which might take her to Offutt Air Force Base to shop. She never missed an opportunity to love and help others, most often through her gift of music.
Ardis is survived by her children, Douglas I. Dusenberry (Mary) of San Antonio, Texas; Stuart (Sheryl) Dusenberry of Atlantic, Iowa, Terri Baker (Dan) of Richmond, Virginia. Grandchildren Allyson Dusenberry, Rylee Dusenberry, Gracelynn Ray, Anthony Ray, Evan Dusenberry, Tess Dusenberry, Meagan Nickle, Caitlyn Baker, Drew Baker. Great Grandchildren Mollie Nickle, Joseph Nickle, and Ryleigh Nickle. Sister Betty Davis of Glenwood, Iowa; sister-in-law, Barb Gould of Humboldt, Nebraska; numerous nieces, nephews and a host of good friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents Lloyd and Ila Gould, husband Pierce Dean Dusenberry; brothers, Ronald Gould and Donald Gould.
Family and music were the heart of Ardis’ long and happy life. She was a joy to the world. She will be missed.
“Life was one grand, sweet song, so now start the music in heaven.” ~ Ronald Reagan
Interment will be held in the Glenwood Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to the Glenwood High School Vocal Music Department, Atlantic High School Vocal Music Department or Tarkio College Foundation.
Visitation:Friday, December 2, 2016
6:00 PM
24116 Marian Ave.
Glenwood, IA51534
Service:Saturday, December 3, 2016
10:00 AM
24116 Marian Ave.
Glenwood, IA51534
19 Condolences
Sincere condolences to Ardie’s family. Such a lovely lady and influence for the arts in our area. I asked Ardie to play for my mom’s memorial service because they played similar kinds of music. There were many similarities in their musical careers. I know there was a choir to greet her when she arrived in heaven!!
Prayers to Ardis family. Sorry to hear of her death. She made beautiful music with her talents. She has been missed at SS Peter & Paul Catholic church in Atlantic since her surgery.
Thoughts and prayers to the family. Ardis was a special lady. Loved visiting with her when we lived in Glenwood. RIP Ardis.
Sympathy to you all. I am honored and blessed to have known Ardie. Memories of her wonderful and gentle soul will be with me forever.
For over 40 years Ardie and I made beautiful music together. I look forward to the time we will doing that again in Heaven. My heartfelt condolences to her family.
What a remarkable and lovely person! I think back to piano lessons and a recital or two, as well as so many times Mrs. Dusenberry brought her gift to accompany choirs and school musicals. Ardie was a gift to so many of us who learned to love music in Glenwood. I am grateful to have been one of the scores of her students, and will always be so.
Thoughts and Prayers to Ardie’s family…what a beautiful life that Ardis lead. Heaven has just welcomed a new member of their choir, may she sing among the Angels and forever be in hearts of her loved ones. Well done Ardis!
Shelley Freeman George
Sorry to hear about Ardis she was one of a kind so kind, always knew you. What music she could play thoughts and prayers to her family.She loved visting with everyone.I am honored to have known her. She was a special lady. She played for many years.
My life is better for having know this wonderful lady. She was a wonderful lady who brightened my life with her encouragement, support, and patience during my years at Glenwood. My thoughts and prayers go out to Doug, Stuart, Terri and their families on their loss.
I only knew Ardie through her wonderful skills at playing the organ for funerals. I would look forward to those times when I knew she would be playing so I could visit with her and hear stories she had from her past. She was quite the spirited person at times. I enjoyed spending as much time as I could when she got to the church before we both had to do other things. What a woman! What a musician! We have all lost what heaven has gained. My condolences to the family.
Aunt Ardie always had a smile on her face and kind words to say about everyone and everything. She played wonderful music and just made you feel her joy everytime she played. She loved her family dearly and always made time to visit with anyone. I have so many fond memories, from when I was a little child to when she played for Dad’s funeral just last year. Even then she brought joy to a sad time. Love you Aunt Ardie!
Stuart and Sheryl – We offer our sincere sympathy in the loss of such a neat lady. I met her one time and was so impressed. Now enjoy those wonderful memories of your Mom.
What a wonderful woman and friend. An accomplished pianist does not begin to describe Ardie’s skills at a keyboard. Watching those hands fly over the keys amazed me every time I saw it. Her students at AHS meant the world to her and she went out of her way to accommodate them even holding practices at her home. She would come home from school with stories about one of “her kids” and she would be beaming. I loved listening to the stories she told about her life. She was so proud of her children and her grandchildren. I was blessed a couple of years ago to be able accompany Ardie and Stuart to Offutt Air Force Base for a shopping trip. Of course, a meal at Joe Tess’ kicked off the trip. A love of carp is just one of the things we had in common. She was so proud that she had an ID with no expiration date and passing through the gate at Offutt was a breeze. I don’t recall the position her late husband held at the time of his passing but am thinking Colonel or General? We also had an annual ritual of making the trip to McDonald’s for a meal when the music department took over the restaurant and did the cooking and serving as a fund raising. She always insisted that I was her guest and insisted on picking up the check. She would let me put a few $$$ in the bucket for a solo to be sung by the music teacher. For Ardie’s birthday, January 12th in 2013 I gave her a handmade crocheted afghan that I believe she truly adored. For my birthday 6 days later she gave me a gift certificate to the Tinder Box. When I showed her what I had purchased and what I intended to use it for, she had tears in her eyes. It is a small Willow Tree keepsake box with two friends sitting down across from each other. The title of the box is “Friends”. I have used this box for the last 3 years to hold every “penny from Heaven” and every “white feather” I have found. It is getting full. Tears are falling but my heart is full of love for this lovely lady. My condolences to all of the family, Stuart, Sheryl, Evan and Tess… as well as those I have yet to meet. My memories make me smile and I pray yours will do the same for you. God bless Ardie and Dean as they meet again.
Dusenberry Family-
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!! Much Love!!
I have only known Ardie since she played the organ at our church and at Herritage House on Thursday afternoons. She has been cheerful company at mealtimes for our dad, Wayne Rice. Please know that your mom touched so many lives in so many ways.
Ardie was such a wonderful woman, always sharing her gift of music. I was honored she considered one of her “grandkids” and blessed to have her in my life. I’ll miss you, Ardie. Thank you for all the wonderful memories and love.
I am shocked and saddened by Ardie’s passing. She was my good friend for many years as we worked together at the middle school. My sincerest condolences to all of you. –Charlene Coffey
Dusenberry Family: I have many fond memories of your mother. Together we made some great programs.
Your mom would write up these really awesome programs and then she would play, I would narrate, & we both would add music (piano & vocal). I still have copies of several of these programs and I shared one with my Oklahoma PEO chapter this past fall. Ardie is one person I missed when I moved back to Oklahoma. I wish I could have had her move with me. She amazed me with her playing skills as when she would play for a funeral she only had a slip of paper on the music rack and it would have the name of a hymn and the key in which she would play it in. No music!! WOW That really impressed me. As you are aware she will be missed by many. She & your dad can be together again in Heaven. God bless.
We will miss this beautiful lady who gave so much pleasure to others. My sincere condolences. She will be so missed. Blessings.
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