Ardys J Swanson

Ardys J. Swanson, 80, Bismarck, beloved wife of Emeroy Em Swanson, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, March 10, 2012, at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center, where she was a resident since July 2006. Services will be held at 10:30 am Saturday, March 17, at First Lutheran Church of Bismarck with Pastor Allen Wagner officiating. Burial will take place at the North Dakota State Veterans Cemetery at 10:00 am on Monday, March 19. Visitation will be held from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Friday, March 16, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck. Born in Oakes, North Dakota, in April 1931, to Waldamar Andy and Mabel Anderson, Ardys was raised in Oakes and Ellendale, ND. Known by many family and friends as "Ardie," she graduated from the State Normal and Industrial College in Ellendale in 1952, receiving a bachelor's degree in Biology and a minor in English. While her ultimate goal was to teach in Bismarck, she taught for two years in Kenmare, ND and in Mandan for two years. She then joined the faculty of Bismarck High School BHS, where she taught English and Journalism from 1956 to 1987. Ardys was highly devoted to her students and BHS. For many years, she was the faculty advisor for the BHS student newspaper, the Hi-Herald, and a number of her students won high school journalism awards, winning trips to Chicago, New York City, and Washington, DC. She also served as Chair of the BHS English Department. During the summers of her teaching years, she took courses at Colorado State College, Concordia College, and the University of North Dakota UND, as well as the University of Missouri on a Fellowship from the Newspaper Fund of New York. She also earned professional credits from UND, Bismarck State College then Bismarck Junior College, and North Dakota State University. She married Carl Munson, Jr. of Bismarck in 1955, and they had one son, Mark; they were divorced in 1958. She married Emeroy Swanson in 1975. Ardys was a member of First Lutheran Church, the American Legion Auxiliary, the Bismarck Education Association, the ND Education Association NDEA, and the National Education Association; she was also a 63-year member of P.E.O. She was elected President of NDEA in 1970 and served as State President from 1971 to 1972. Ardys was an avid reader throughout her life, reading more than 950 books in retirement. Her former students will appreciate the fact that she kept detailed lists of these books, and critiques of them. She also enjoyed golfing, boating, fishing, crocheting – and, most of all, family reunions and traveling. Ardys is survived by her husband, Emeroy, and one son, Mark, his wife, Jean, and four grandchildren: LTJG Kathryn Munson, NC, USN; ENS Mark Munson Jr., USN; James Munson; and Matthew Munson. She is also survived by her brothers and sisters-in-law, James Anderson Medina, OH and Robert and Janie Anderson Northfield, MN, and their families, including four nieces, Judy Sleek, Janel Anderson, Kathleen Anderson-Barden, and Patti Randolph, and two nephews, George Anderson and Rob Anderson; and brothers and sisters-in-law Paul and Marilynn Swanson Bismarck; Mary Ann and Doug Wessell La Quinta, CA; Jean and C.W. Faucett Bakersfield, CA, and their respective families. A beloved sister-in-law, Georgana Anderson Medina, OH, pre-deceased her in 2011. Other family survivors are Becky Swanson and Greg Gehrke Phoenix, AZ; Kelly Lyle and her husband, Bob and children Karston and Keira; Jay Gehrke and his wife, Michelle and children Avery and Ellie; Stephen Swanson Minot, ND and his son Jaeson and his wife, Lisa, and daughter Parker; Mark and Pam Swanson Tucson, AZ; and their respective families. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to First Lutheran Church of Bismarck.

Ardys J Swanson

April 18, 1931 - March 10, 2012