Ardis Kelley, 69

Ardis Kelley, 69, “passed on to her Lord and Savior,” Sept. 27, 2012, at her home in Kalispell, surrounded by her family. 

She was born on Feb. 17, 1943, in Flagler, Colo., to Roy and Irene Jones. 

She went to a little one-room school until the seventh grade. She finished high school in Seibert, Colo., where she met and married her husband of 49 years. 

In her younger life, Ardis grew large flower gardens to beautify the yard. She grew a large vegetable garden to provide food for the family throughout the year. She would give away her cut flowers to make someone else a better day. She also gave away her fresh vegetables to help those who needed help. 

At church, everyone who had a birthday, had cake waiting for them to make their day special. 

Her favorite hobbies, along with gardening, included sewing, counted cross-stitch, taking care of her family and caring for her pets. Many stray animals found shelter, care and a home with her kind heart.

Ardis will be missed deeply as a wife, a mother and a grandmother. Her life touched many lives, young and old. Believing in God, he was always first in her life. She taught Sunday school, held Bible classes in her home, and ran a day care for several years. 

Even with cancer attacking her body, she baked cookies to auction off for others with cancer. Ardis was always there to encourage her family at any endeavor they took on. She was a special lady to her family and will be missed.

Ardis is survived by her husband, Ron Kelley; Melinda and Leo Hovey, her daughter and son-in-law of Kalispell, and their children, Kyle and Kelsey Hovey, and Matthew Hovey; Brock and Glenna Kelley, her son and daughter-in-law of West Yellowstone, and their children, Amanda and Ross Radke of Bozeman, and Daniel Kelley of West Yellowstone. She also leaves behind her brother, Ervin Jones; and sister, Myrna Kibler. She also leaves behind her dogs, Fonzy, Nanuck and Matilda. 

She was preceded in death by her father Roy “Dale” Jones, and mother Irene Jones.

There will be a memorial service for Ardis at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13, at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Kalispell. Following the service, there will be a celebration of life barbecue at the Trinity Lutheran Fellowship Hall. 

In lieu of sending flowers, please make donations to the Trinity Lutheran School, 495 5th Ave. WN, Kalispell, MT 59901; Hebgen Basin Fire District, P.O. Box 1508, West Yellowstone, MT 59758, 406-646-9094; or the Humane Society of Northwest Montana, P.O. Box 221, Kalispell, MT 59903.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Ardis’ family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Ardis’ guest book, offer condolences and share memories.