Ardis Brown

ARDIS ROSE BROWN

Ardis Rose Brown, age 82, of Winona, was called home to heaven by God on Sunday, October 22, 2017, at Lake Winona Manor.

She was born on August 21, 1935, in Winona, to Peter and Adeline (Rolfing) Walters, and was a graduate of Cotter High School in Winona.

Ardis was united in marriage with Roger W. Brown, Sr., on December 23, 1950, at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Winona.  Together Roger and Ardis had six children: Mary (Bruce) Kryzer, Roger (Sharon) Brown, Jr., Robert (Linda) Brown, Terri (John) Ronnenberg, Richard Brown, and Rodney Brown; 16 beautiful grandchildren: Bonnie, Bruce, Kevin, Sheyenne, Scott, Evan, Andrea, Rick, Jessica, Timothy, Jennifer, Brianna, Kendra, Ashley, Kenny, and Kyle; many great-grandchildren; her sister Ann Wikse; a sister-in-law: Pearl Walters; as well as other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother: Ken Walters; and daughters: Mary Kryzer and Terri Ronnenberg.

Ardis was employed with the VFW, Busy Bee Laundromat, and the Lakeview Drive-In.

Ardis was one of those women who put her heart and soul into everything that she did – her family, her church, and her work.  She was a Scout mother and an excellent example to all of her children.  As a member of the Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka, she was devoted to her Catholic faith, and volunteered many hours to help others including serving on the funeral lunch committee, the prayer chain, and she gave much support to people in need.

She will be remembered for her love of attending Tupperware parties, and Roger and Ardis loved to have their close friends over to card parties.  In addition to card playing, Ardis also enjoyed playing cribbage and scrabble.

Our beloved Ardis spent the last years of her life suffering from severe Alzheimer’s Disease.  This unyielding disease took the life right out of her.  Her devoted and loving husband, Roger, spent every afternoon keeping her company.  Ardis had a heart of gold, and she was very strong-willed and refused to give up.  She fought hard to stay on this earth because she did not want to leave Roger and her children.  Eventually her disease won the battle, and God silently came on Sunday morning and took Ardis home.  We will all miss her, but we will see her again – happy, healthy, and laughing joyfully at the simplest things.  We thank God for taking our beloved Ardis to heaven, and we now no longer have to worry if she is in pain.

Ardis was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and a loving fabulous friend to all who knew her.  She will be deeply missed.

Visitation will be held from 10 AM until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 AM on Thursday, October 26, 2017, at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka.  The Reverend Monsignor Thomas J. Hargesheimer will officiate.  Ardis will be laid to rest in Woodlawn Cemetery.

Ardis’ family would like to thank the entire staff at Lake Winona Manor for the wonderful care that she received.  We appreciate all that you did, and we know that everyone who works there also has a heart of gold.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Ardis’ family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.

Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.