Ardith Berthine (Degerness) Lee passed away at age 88 on March 5, 2010 after a brief illness, compounded by her compromised lung condition of past years. Ardith was born on May 2, 1921, in Gary, MN, to Helmer J. and Ovidia (Gysland) Degerness. In addition to her parents, Ardith was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur R. Lee, and one brother, Henning O. Degerness. She is survived by one daughter, Peggy Lee Hilton (Jim) of Seattle, WA; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, George and Terry Lee of Olympia, WA; numerous nieces and nephews; and many beloved friends.
She graduated from Gary High School and attended Moorhead State. After marriage and U.S. entry into WW II shortly thereafter, her husband, Art, was sent overseas, which prompted Ardith to pack up her mother and head for Muskegon, MI to take factory jobs in the home front "war effort." Following the war, Art and Ardith purchased the Wild Rice Orphans' Home east of Twin Valley, where they farmed for a number of years, prior to moving to Seattle, WA, where Ardith was employed in the banking industry for 10 years. The next move was "back home" to Gary, and several bookkeeping positions prior to her retirement. Art's early passing shortened their time for enjoying retirement together, but her many wonderful friends lightened her load and provided her with much joy and laughter over the 25 years she lived alone. Although her world had become much smaller over the last years due to her dependence on oxygen, she always commented on how good life was: "I eat good, I sleep good, and I don't hurt."
In lieu of memorials, please use your money to treat yourselves to something fun, think of all the fun Ardith had in her life and added to the lives of others, and keep a bit of her happy spirit alive inside your heart. At her request, no funeral or memorial service was held. On Friday, March 12, 2010, at 2:30 pm, there was a brief graveside prayer and farewell at Ft. Snelling, where she will rest with Art.