Please click on the video tribute below to view Ardell's celebration and burial services.

Ardell M. Erstad, 94, Ada, MN, passed away on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at Benedictine Care Community in Ada, MN.

Ardell Mae Woltjer was born May 7, 1931, near Borup MN. She was the youngest daughter of Jacob and Anna (Giinther) Woltjer's 6 children. The family lived south of Borup during her childhood. She was baptized June 13, 1931, and confirmed July 1, 1941, in Winchester Lutheran Church in Borup. Ardell attended the Borup Elementary School through 8th grade. The family then moved to Ada in 1946.  She attended Ada High School, graduating in 1949.

During high school she picked potatoes in the fall of the year and worked part-time for the Norman County telephone company. On March 1, 1950, she started working at the PMA/ASCS where she worked for the next 40 years retiring, June 6, 1990.

On June 16,1951 Ardell married Sidney Erstad at Grace Lutheran Church in Ada. Ada was always home. Ardell was very dedicated to Grace Lutheran. She was involved with the fellowship board, altar guild, Women of the ALCA, and numerous church committees. Ardell spent hours over the years fixing communion and arranging flowers for church services.

Ardell and Sidney traveled to many states, especially enjoying trips to the eastern seaboard. Their favorites were day trips to Itasca, Bemidji, Duluth, Medora, ND, Island Lake and countryside driving. Ardell always did the driving with Sidney watching for deer. Other hobbies were flower gardening, crafting and keeping in touch with family through computer and texting.

She is survived by her children, Carey (Gary) Johnston Angus, MN, Nathan (Peggy) Erstad, Casselton, ND, Jane (Rod) Backlund, Fargo, ND, and Ruthann (Jim) Svir, Thief River Falls, MN; grandchildren, Gretchen (Cory) Schmaltz, Leslie (Brad) Shirek, Lane (Mindy) Johnston, Eric (April) Erstad, Katie (Brandan) Ressler, Dillan Backlund, Samantha Backlund, Chase Backlund, Zac (Jenna) Svir, Raichl (Luke) Ratchenski, Amy (Sam) Richter, Nikki (Jeremy) Keller, and Jeff (Whitney) Wright; great grandchildren,Turner (Alexis) Erstad, Sydney Erstad, Aubreyanna and Isabell Ressler, Kieran Sinnott, Callie and Andrew Johnston, Kylie, Addie and Kody Schmaltz, Laney, Claire Shirek, Logan and Berkley Okstad, Wesley and Willard Keller, Alexander and Everet Svir, Emma, Eli and Evie Ratchenski, and Ruthie Richter

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jacob and Anna Woltjer; husband, Sidney Erstad; siblings, Fred Woltjer, Annie Temanson, Edvin Woltjer, Luvern Woltjer, and Marie Merkins, and grandson Jason Johnston.

Memorials are preferred to Grace Lutheran Church, Ada, MN or HIA Hospice (Hearts In Action) of Fargo, ND, formerly Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Celebration of Life Service: 11:00 AM, Monday, June 30, 2025 at Grace Lutheran Church, Ada, MN.

Visitation: One hour before the service at the church.

Interment: Ada Municipal Cemetery, Ada, MN.

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