Ardis Helen (Lee) Zunich died peacefully on July 18, 2020, at Canyon Creek Memory Community In Billings, MT, after a prolonged struggle with Lewy Body dementia. She was born to Arthur and Helen (Rice) Lee in Powers Lake, ND, on April 12, 1938, and raised on a farm in rural White Earth, ND. She was the third of four children: Sisters Ellen (Fox), Sandra (Edwards) and late brother Oakley Lee.
Ardis attended elementary school in rural White Earth, ND, and graduated from White Earth High School in 1956. There she met Vernon Zunich who would later become her loving husband of 61 years. She completed her associate’s degree at Augsburg College in Minneapolis where she was active in choir concerts and contests. She returned home to ND and began working at Oilfield Service In Tioga and soon after married Vernon in 1958. They made their first home in the town of White Earth, ND, where she began her career as a wife, homemaker and mother to four children: Kim, Kerry, Julie, and Gentry.
In 1971 they built a home and moved to rural White Earth, which is where they raised their children and lived until 2003. They sold the farm and moved to Minot, ND, where they lived until November 2012. In Minot, they became active members of Bethel Free Lutheran Church. Ardis taught Sunday school, sang in their women’s choir and was a member of the Women’s Mission Federation. They spent their winters at Quail Springs Park in Uvalde, TX. In November 2012 they made their final home in Miles City, MT, until Ardis entered residential care on April 1, 2019, at the Hearts and Home Assisted Living Facility. In Miles City, they were regular attendees of the First United Methodist Church where Ardis sang in the choir and was active in their women’s fellowship activities.
During their time in White Earth, ND, Ardis was an active and devoted farm wife, preparing and delivering meals to the fields and keeping the home fires burning. She loved farm life and worked diligently to keep the lawn and flowerbeds tidy and her home spiffy, making sure Vern and the kids had what they needed. She was a skilled baker, cook, seamstress, and volunteer.
She was an active member of Happy 12 Homemakers Club, Norman Lutheran Church Ladies’ Aid and Women’s Mission Federation, Norman Lutheran Church Sunday School, the Tioga High School Band Boosters and additionally served as a 4-H leader and election judge for the Democratic party.
Her focus was to live by faith in Jesus Christ, her Savior and Redeemer, and lovingly serve her husband, family, and neighbors. Many remember her happy smile and reverent singing with sisters Ellen and Sandi at funerals and weddings. She had a lilting soprano voice and thoroughly enjoyed singing hymns around the house. Ardis loved life; she had a funny sense of humor and would chuckle and shake her head over life’s absurdities.
Ardis took great pride in her grandchildren and great grandchildren, praying for them often. She recorded scripture on note cards as a reminder and encouragement to herself when her memory and organizational skills began to fail.
Ardis was preceded in death by their infant daughter Kerry Lee; parents, Arthur and Helen, and brother Oakley. Ardis is survived by husband Vernon of Miles City, MT; sister Ellen Fox (Lyle, deceased) of Tioga, ND; sister Sandra Edwards (Bruce) of Mandan, ND; children Kimberly and Douglas Blunt of Miles City, MT; Julie and Michael Holub of Saint Clair, MN; Gentry and Kari Zunich of Jamestown, ND; grandchildren Tara Holub Staeheli and husband Dominic Staeheli, Olivia Blunt, Matthew Blunt, Katrina Zunich, Alexandra Zunich, Andrew Holub, Margaret Zunich, Ella Holub, and Geoffrey Zunich; two great grandchildren Maria and AJ Staeheli; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Private family visitation will be held on Friday, August 7, 2020 at Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home in Tioga, ND. A Private Family Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2020 at the Norman Lutheran Church Cemetery in Tioga, North Dakota. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
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Slade and Lynnette Bumgardner says
Dear Vern, Kim, Doug and the rest of the family –
We are so sorry for your loss. Although we did not know Ardis well we have seen the affect of her love through her daughter, Kim. We mourn with you and thank God for the hope of heaven! Hugs to all of you!
Rob & Sherri Schneidt says
Our deepest sympathies, you all are in our thoughts.
Cindy and Tom Erickson says
Vern, Kim, Doug, Olivia, Matthew, Julie, Gentry and families…I am so sorry to hear about your mom/grandma! Know you are all in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time and in the days ahead. I simply loved your mom’s smile and kindness. Sending so many hugs to you!!
Roberta Ramberg says
Dear Vern, Kim, Julie, Gentry and families,
Our deepest sympathy and prayers go out to all of you in your loss of Ardis! So many great memories of time spent with her and all of you when you were at White Earth. Love, Chuck and Roberta
Freda Vachal says
My sincere sympathy and prayers to all of you at this most difficult time. May your faith in the Lord help you be strong and God’s promise of eternal life comfort you. The love and memories your shared will remain with you forever. I have many good memories of time spent with her with the Homemakers group at White Earth.
Love, Freda Vachal
Kristi Celander says
Kim, I’m so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. I only met her briefly when you both sang for A Night With the Stars. What beautiful voices. My deepest condolences to you and your family.
Karen Gullickson-Lee says
I am so sorry for your loss. Ardis was one of my favorite people.
George and Maggie Holom says
Vern and family, we are sorry to hear of your loss of Ardis. We are glad to have known her in friendship in the years you have lived in Miles city. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all in this time of sorrow. May she rest in heavenly Peace.
Barbie Rodriguez says
Vernon and family, We are so sorry to hear about the passing of Ardis she was a wonderful lady. May God be with you and your family at this time
God Bless, Carl Frisinger and family
Jeff & Phyllis Fox says
KIM, JULIE, GENTRY AND VERN – WHAT A REUNION WE ALL WILL HAVE WHEN JESUS CALLS US TO HIS HEAVENLY HOME AND WE CAN ALL BE TOGETHER.
WHAT A JOY THAT WILL BE.
Janet Buraas Klein says
Kim and family…such a loss to lose a mother, but she will continue to be your guiding light and your guardian angel. You are in my thoughts and prayers…Janet Buraas Klein
Jeff & Phyllis says
ARDIS WAS ALWAYS SO QUIET AND RESERVED AND REMINDED ME SO MUCH OF HER AUNT EDNA.
The Deitchlers says
We are so deeply saddened to have lost Auntie Ardis and are trying to hold our broken hearts together.
Through our grief, we still feel such joy to know she’s up there keeping Grandpa Buddy company now.
To be her purest self, singing and giggling with Jesus by their side…
…May you feel the prayers of peace, comfort, and strength we are wrapping you in.
Jennifer Lesh says
Loved your mom. Keeping all of you in my prayers.
Julie Draper says
Thoughts and prayers for Ardis’s family. We think of you as part of our West View family. We enjoyed caring for Ardis and getting to know your family-great people
Jack Fleming says
Kim, Caroline and I send our condolences in the loss of your Mom
Ella Cvancara says
Vernon and family, I’m so sorry to hear of Ardis’ passing. She and I go back to White Earth days and it was always a pleasure singing with her, and just being in her cheery company. May you find comfort in happy memories.
Boyd & Connie says
We are so sorry to hear about Ardis! Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. We know that you all have so many good memories, may they give you strength and comfort in the days ahead.
Holly Franklin says
Kim I only met your momma once and she was as spry as can be.my heart is solemn but strong as can be rest well my friend.
Jerry and Bev Collins says
Dear Vern, Kim, Doug, Olivia, Matthew and families,
We send our heart felt sympathies to you and want you to know that our hearts are with you now and in the difficult days ahead.
Ardis was such a sweet lady and always had a smile and nice thoughts to share and what a delight she was to know.
Ardis had many talents and saw many while she served the church in many special ways, and always nice to see her singing in the choir. Now she is singing in the Heavenly Choir, and how lovely that would be.
May God wrap his loving arms around you and give you the comfort, love and peace that you are needing now and in the difficult days ahead.
Love and Grace
Jerry and Bev Collins
Linda. A. Hodgson says
I’m so glad in got to know both Ardis and Vern! We Had many lunch dates together and enjoyed visiting with her during those times. Sea so sad when she got so sick. She was a special lady. Keeping Vern and family in my prayers.
Danel Purvis (Ferris) says
Vern, Kim & Doug and family; I am so sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in your love for one another. Embrace the memories, share the stories, and know that she is still with you! You all are in my prayers.
Wendy Sterling Leidholt says
Kim n Doug, I’m so sorry to hear of Ardis’ passing. I’d like to think that she’s with Mom and they’re entertaining the angels singing and playing the mandolin. Hugs.
Ruben and June Opp says
Kim,Doug Vern and all of your family,we are so sorry to see of the passing of your loved one. May God console your hearts that she is in a much better place,where there is no more confusion and suffering.But know our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time and the days ahead.
Love Ruben and June Opp
Shirley Lund says
Vern, Kim & Doug, Julie & Michael, Gentry & Kari & your families; Ardis was a gentle, kind, & loved member of our church family. Her smile, her lovely singing voice, her presence were so loved. May peace & comfort fill your hearts as you share your memories of Ardis’ well lived life. Blessings Shirley Lund
Kim Stanton says
Dear Blunt Family,
So sorry to read of the loss of your beloved mother and grandmother. Such a nice picture of her in the obituary. Reading about her life brought a smile to my face— she made an unforgettable impact on many lives. What a blessing she was to many! May the peace of Christ fill your minds and hearts today and in the coming days, and bring you consolation.
With heartfelt sympathy,
Kim, Kyle, Kasey and Christina Stanton