Ardyce Vivian Richards

Ardyce "Ardy" Vivian Richards, 93, of Chisago City, MN, passed away on June 14, 2024, surrounded by her family. Ardyce was born on January 25th, 1931, in Minden, Nebraska, the eldest child of Clarence and Florence Christensen.

 Ardyce grew up during the thirties, accompanying her father across various towns as he worked as a construction contractor, before the family settled in North Platte, NE. She enjoyed playing saxophone in the school band and graduated from North Platte Senior High School. With a twinkle in her eye, she would tell a story of skipping school to volunteer at the North Platte Canteen during WWII, which provided food, cold milk, magazines and more to soldiers passing through on Troop Trains.

 After WWII, Ardyce met and fell in love with Marvin Jack Richards. They were married on July 31,1949, in North Platte, Nebraska. They eventually settled in Minnesota, where they raised their four children, Carol Ann, Deanna Kay, Sarah Jean, and Joseph Robert, in North St. Paul. Ardyce and Marvin instilled strong Christian values in their children, nurturing their faith and guiding them towards a personal relationship with Jesus.

 In retirement, Ardyce and Marvin relocated to Lindstrom, MN, enjoying the lakeside scenery and actively participating in their grandchildren's activities. Ardyce had a vibrant personality and pursued many hobbies with passion, including sewing, square and round dancing, bridge, and golf, where she achieved two "hole-in-ones” and relished in scoring lower than her daughters and grandsons. Her competitive spirit and zest for life were contagious, leaving an indelible mark on her children and grandchildren.

 Ardyce is survived by her children, Carol (Mark) Earle, Deanna Lorinser, Sarah (Don) Eagan, and Joseph (Roxanne) Richards; grandchildren, Holly (Matt) Schultze, Tim (Barb) Lorinser, Monica (Bryan) Siegrist, Teresa (Adam) Strobel, Joshua (Ashley) Richards, Jessica (Justin) Gillespie, Brittany Richards, Eric Eagan, Mallory (Jacob) Schmidt, Mark (Chelsea) Eagan; great grandchildren, Amara, Harlen, and Brooke Richards, Wyatt, Sophie and Rhett Lorinser, Aydan and Lexi Eagan, Mia and Bryndle Schultze, Samson and Jack Siegrist, Max and Miles Schmidt, Addison and AJ Strobel, Hailey Gillespie and Cooper Eagan. She is also survived by extended family in Michigan and Nebraska.

 Ardyce was preceded in death by her loving husband, Marvin, her parents Clarence and Florence, her sister Arlene Post, her brother Steven Christensen, and sons-in-law Paul Lorinser and Dave Basham.

The family will celebrate Ardyce’s life at 9 AM, on Saturday, August 17th, at Mattson Funeral Home, 343 North Shore Drive, Forest Lake.  Her urn will be interred alongside Marvin’s in a columbarium at Chisago Memorial Park, Chisago City, MN. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Croix Hospice, 7755 3rd St N, Oakdale, MN 55128, in honor of the compassionate care they provided.