Photo courtesy of Hawthorne Funeral Home - Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon, Washington
Nov 5, 1929 – Jan 14, 2024
Ardelle (Nelson) Leach died from complications related to Parkinson’s on January 14, 2024.
Ardelle was born in 1929 in Bellingham, the daughter of Oliver and Vera (Bohlke) Nelson. She attended schools in Snohomish, Ellensburg, and Seattle where she graduated from Roosevelt High School. Following her graduation from the University of Washington, she taught in elementary schools in Seattle and then Wapato.
Ardelle married Don Leach in December of 1951. In 1959, they moved with their two young children to Burlington. She was a stay-at-home mother, eventually returning to work as a reading specialist in the Burlington-Edison School District. Don and Ardelle both retired in 1991.
During college, Ardelle was a member of the Sigma Kappa sorority and Mu Phi Epsilon, a music honorary. Mrs. Leach had a great love of music and the arts. She enjoyed the Seattle Symphony concerts, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and local musical and theater performances. She was an active member of the West View Garden Club and served as her daughter’s Camp Fire leader.
Don and Ardelle shared a passion for world travel, visiting over 70 countries and all seven continents. She was fascinated by other cultures, local artwork, and the historical places she’d only read about in books.
In October, Ardelle’s husband of 72 years preceded her in death. She is survived by her daughter Erin Walker (Jack) and son Kevin Leach (Cindy); five grandchildren, Trent (Kristin), Ashley, and Parker Leach, Kathryn Deshaies (Aaron), and Krista Coleman (Johnny). She is also survived by six great grandchildren, Quincy, Evelyn, Keith, Kelly, Susan, and Everly; brother Darrel Nelson; sister-in-law, Beverly Leach; and seven nephews and one niece.
Ardelle took great pride in being a home maker. She will be remembered for her holiday decorations, manicured gardens, and wonderful baked goods. She often took cooking classes, watched cooking television shows, and even collected recipes. Ardelle also enjoyed classic films, was an avid reader, and loved shopping!
In honor of Ardelle, donations are suggested to either Camp Fire Samish & Camp Kirby at 1321 King St Suite #3, Bellingham, WA 98229 or to the Don Leach Memorial Scholarship Fund. Scholarship remembrances can be addressed to the Burington-Edison Alumni Foundation at PO Box 350, Burlington, WA 98233.
At Ardelle’s request, there will be no service.
Read MoreMy condolences to the family. As a 1st grader at Allen Elementary School I first met Mrs. Leach. She was my reading teacher. I struggled with reading and while my first couple years of school were not enjoyable, she left a good memory. She was patient and kind. I saw her a couple of years ago in the grocery store and was able to thank you her for the time spent with me. I am grateful for that. She was a wonderful person!
Adam Thurmond
February 21, 2024
I met Ardelle in the 1960's when we belonged to the Westview Garden Club..The Club has continued as on a monthly luncheon. She was active with the group until her illness. Arelle was a sweet, delightful lady with a beautiful smile.
Sharon Cole-Waldschmidt
January 31, 2024 | Other
My condolences to the family. Ardelle was a fantastic reading coach and was highly helpful to me at Allen School when I was struggling with reading. She was thoughtful, kind, and patient.
David A Johnson
January 31, 2024 | Other
My cousin Ardelle was a beautiful woman in every way. She was born 23 years before I was, so my memories of her started to form when I attended her brother Darrell’s wedding to Ann in Snohomish when I was about 7. I thought then that Ardelle was one of the most beautiful women I’d ever seen. Erin and I and our relatives Karla and Paula Strutzel were among the relatives to witness that wedding. I became better acquainted with her after I, like Ardelle, attended the University...
Wendy Bohlke
January 25, 2024 | Bellingham, WA | Family
