"Kessler Funeral Homes
515 South Division Street
Audubon, IA

Obituary for Ardyth Mardell Bertelsen

Ardyth Mardell Bertelsen, the daughter of Forrest Clyde, Sr. and Hazel Alma (Miller) LaFoy, was born January 26, 1932, at her parents’ home in rural Audubon County, Iowa and died peacefully surrounded by her family on Monday, September 21, 2015, at the Friendship Home in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 83 years, 7 months, and 25 days.
Ardyth was baptized and confirmed at the Hamlin Lutheran Church in Hamlin, Iowa. She attended rural schools in Audubon County then graduated from the Audubon High School with the Class of 1950. Following her graduation she was employed as a clerk at the Hamlin Grocery Store.
On November 23, 1952, she was united in marriage to Emery G. Bertelsen at the Hamlin Lutheran Church. Four children Debra, Patricia, John, and Judy were born to this union. Ardyth and Emery operated their farm in Hamlin Township where they grew row crops and raised livestock for many years. Emery died March 7, 1987. Ardyth continued to live on and operate the farm until she sold a portion of the farm in 1990 and moved into Audubon. While living in Audubon she was a waitress for a short time at Gary’s Restaurant.
Ardyth married Richard Foresman and they owned and operated a craft shop in Hamlin. She enjoyed making the many different crafts and traveling to the many craft shows. Later Ardyth moved to her present home in Audubon before she moved to the Friendship Home in Audubon on May 10, 2011.
Ardyth was an active member of the Hamlin Lutheran Church. She held various offices and was the church treasurer for many years. Ardyth volunteered for many community activities but especially enjoyed volunteering at the Nathanial Hamlin Park south of Audubon. She was an avid seamstress and enjoyed making quilts. But what was most important to her was spending time with her family.
Preceding her in death were her husband Emery G. Bertelsen; her parents; her brothers an infant brother, Charles and wife Gloria LaFoy, Sam and wife Frances LaFoy, and Forrest “Pap” Clyde LaFoy, Jr.; and her sister-in-law Evelyn and husband Dick Northup.
Survivors include her children Deb and husband John Kramer of Hamlin, Iowa, Patty and husband Jim Melin of Grantsburg, Wisconsin, John and wife Mary Bertelsen of Polk City, Iowa, and Judy and husband John Sobek of Clive, Iowa; her grandchildren Mel Dausel and her special friend Aaron Newton of Gretna, Nebraska, Jenny and husband Bryan Reha, of Ankeny, Iowa, Katelynn and husband John Langevin of Cleveland, Ohio, Megan Hansen of Boone, Iowa, Ryan Hansen of Lewistown, Montana, Amy Snow and special friend Justin Dehmer of Norwalk, Iowa, Jessica Bertelsen of Polk City, Iowa, Eric Bertelsen and special friend Meg Nitka of West Des Moines, Iowa, and Sarah Vinchattle of Ames, Iowa; her great grandchildren Morgan Dausel of Gretna, Nebraska, Zane Dausel of Battle Creek, Iowa, Kenley Reha and Kane Reha both of Ankeny, Iowa, Hannah Langevin and Ryleigh Langevin both of Cleveland, Ohio, and Ceci Snow of Norwalk, Iowa; her sister-in-law Lenore LaFoy of Audubon, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Doug Opp on Thursday, September 24, 2015, at 10:30 A.M. at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon, Iowa. Interment will be in the Hamlin Lutheran Cemetery east of Hamlin, Iowa. The honorary casket bearers will be Mel Dausel, Jenny Reha, Amy Snow, Jessica Bertelsen, Katelynn Langevin, Megan Hansen, Sarah Vinchattle, Morgan Dausel, Ceci Snow, Hannah Langevin, Ryleigh Langevin, and Kenley Reha. The casket bearers will be Ryan Hansen, Eric Bertelsen, John Langevin, Bryan Reha, Kane Reha, Aaron Newton, and Zane Dausel. The family will meet with friends Wednesday evening at 5:30 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon, Iowa."