Ardyth Maureen "Wonser" Dow

Ardyth Dow, 92, passed to her eternal home on June 19, 2025 at Stanford Lodge in Sunfield with her son Kevin by her side.

Ardyth Maureen Wonser was born on October 15, 1932, to her parents Roy and Harriet (Calkins) Wonser. She grew up on a farm in rural Roxand Township with her parents and sister Nancy. She attended Gates School and graduated from Grand Ledge High School. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology from Michigan State College in June 1954.

Ardyth married Durwood Dow, the love of her life, on July 3, 1954, in a ceremony in her parents' home. After a weekend away, the couple settled in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. While Durwood served in the army, Ardyth worked as a Medical Technologist at Hardin County Hospital.

After Durwood's army service was completed, the couple returned with their infant daughter to their farm in Michigan. Ardyth took great pride in being on the farm. She and Durwood raised beef cattle and hundreds of chickens. For many years, Ardyth raised and sold eggs to the families and small businesses in the community. She loved to garden and was very proud of her flower beds. She spent many peaceful hours weeding the garden because her children stayed clear not wanting to be recruited to help pull weeds. Later she was happy to grow big pumpkins and proud to share them with her grandchildren.

Ardyth and her husband raised their three children on the farm, teaching them valuable life lessons including the importance of responsibility and community involvement. While her family and the farm were her priorities, Ardyth was always involved in her community. She served on the Roxand Township Library Board for many years. She started the 4-H Community Club to give her children and many others opportunities to learn new skills. Craig and Kevin were active in the 4-H beef project and these early experiences have led both to continue raising beef on their own farms.

Ardyth supported her children in all their endeavors and enjoyed attending their activities, eventually finding similar pleasure in attending the activities of her grandchildren. She and Durwood attended many school events and fair shows through the years, often arriving with homemade cookies and bags of grapes or cucumbers for their family to snack on.

In retirement, she enjoyed traveling with her husband to visit relatives and friends across the country. She especially enjoyed their trips to Oklahoma. They spent many winters in Bonita Springs, Florida, and during the summer the two traveled around the state attending as many horse pulls as they could fit into their schedule.

Ardyth will be remembered for many things that touched her friends and family. Almost everyone she knows has a fleece blanket with crocheted edges that she made. They were given as a birthday, graduation, new baby, get well, and "just because" gift. In addition, she would sell them at craft shows. She will also be remembered as the "Cookie Grandma" by many of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as the grandma who always had a candy jar. Mostly, though, she will be remembered not for what she did, but for the love she shared with her family, friends, and community.

Ardyth will be deeply missed by her family. Her children: Theresa (Charlie) Silm, Craig (Ongria) Dow, and Kevin (Melanie) Dow. Her grandchildren Chloe (Rocky) Buscemi, Michelle Silm, and Stephanie (Dan) Brook; Matthew (Amanda) Dow, Michelle (Brian) Lape, Marie Dow, Mallory (Trenton) Wilson, and Patrick (fiancé Kylie Ann Kendall) O'Dell; Andrew Dow, Adam (Courtney) Dow, and Chelsey (Josh) Morrison. Great-grandchildren Charley, Sammy, and Maggie; Breslin and Bode; Kyle and Briana; Sabrina, Katelin, Oliva, and Brooke-Lynn; Grace and Lydia; Alisyn and Noah; Becker and Baby Wilson due in December 2025; Levi, Weston, Henry, and Connor; Colton and Keagen. Great-great-grandchild Jupiter. Brother-in-law Gerald Potter, niece Debbie and nephew Jerry Jr (Ellen). She will also be loved and remembered by many nieces and nephews in the Dow family.

Ardyth was preceded in death by her parents Roy and Harriet, husband Durwood, grandchildren Ashley and Michael, and her sister Nancy.

Visitation Tuesday June 24, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Sunfield United Brethren Church. Celebration of Life 11:00 AM Wednesday June 25, 2025 also at the Church. A Luncheon will be served immediately following the Celebration of Life Service at the Church. Graveside 2:00 PM Wednesday June 25, 2025 at Meadowbrook Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ardyth's memory may be made to the Eaton Community Palliative Care or Roxand Township Fire Department.