Ardella M. Tiegs

Ardella Tiegs went to her heavenly home on Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at the Belle Plaine Lutheran Home. She courageously fought cancer for nearly four years. Funeral services will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church, rural Henderson, MN on Monday, October 24, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Diane Goulson officiating. Visitation at the Kolden Funeral Home in Belle Plaine will be Sunday, from 4:00 p.m. ~ 7:00 p.m. at the Kolden Funeral Home in Belle Plaine and continue one hour prior to the service at church on Monday morning. Ardella was born April 20, 1936 at the home of her parents, Orlando and Hilda (Schroeder) Kruschke. She was a life-long member of Redeemer Lutheran Church where she was baptized, attended Sunday school, and was confirmed in 1950. Ardella was very active at Redeemer including teaching Sunday school, singing in the choir, and as a member of the Ladies Aid and ELCW. She was also one of the first women to serve on Redeemer's church council. For eight years Ardella attended Joel District 56 Country School before entering Belle Plaine High School, where she graduated in 1954. The following year she accepted the position of the high school's secretary. 61 years ago, on June 23, 1955, Ardella was united in marriage to Earl Tiegs at Redeemer Lutheran Church. Earl was the only man Ardella had ever dated. Together they lived on the Tiegs farm and raised their family. Ardella was a stay-at-home mom until all her children graduated from high school. She then worked at the Belle Plaine Lutheran Home as a physical therapy aide and as a receptionist and she also worked for Prairie Plastics. In June of 2000, Earl and Ardella moved from the farm to their home in Belle Plaine. Ardella loved to read, complete crossword puzzles, and solve find-a-word puzzles. She enjoyed dancing and spending time with friends and family. Hosting large family gatherings in her home was what Ardella loved the most. Whenever she had a chance, Ardella enjoyed fishing especially for sunfish or hooking a Northern. Ardella was an excellent baker, whipping up thousands of cakes, cookies, bars, pies, and desserts through the years. Everyone loved the Scotcheroos she made! She had a beautiful alto singing voice and her favorite movie was "The Sound of Music". Ardella and Earl loved to travel. They visited all 50 states and also vacationed in Canada and Mexico. Ardella is survived by her husband, Earl, of Belle Plaine, as well as her large family - son Gerald (Jerry) and Barb Tiegs of Maple Grove, grandchildren Lindsay (Heath) Comeau, and Andy Tiegs, and great-grandchildren Callan, Harper, and Camilla Comeau; daughter Ruth and Paul Kopnick of Bloomington, and step-grandsons Shawn (Mandy), and Andrew and step-great granddaughter, Addi; daughter Sharon Tiegs and Jack McCauley of Chaska, and step-grandson, Aaron; son David and Kris Tiegs of Tracy, grandchildren Mac, Ellie, and Noah; daughter Laura Barron and fiancé, Paul Petersen, of LeSueur, and grandsons Joe and Ben. Ardella also leaves behind her brothers Norbert & Patty Kruschke of Kennewick, WA; Bill Kruschke of Belle Plaine; Orin and Linda Kruschke of Belle Plaine; Del & Judi Kruschke of Wayzata, Dave and Cindy Kruschke of Belle Plaine; sister-in-law Marion and Donald Kruschke of Princeton, brother-in-law, Donald Tiegs of Ortonville; many nieces, nephews, and cousins, and special friends - the Doris and Bruce Edberg family. Preceding Ardella in death were her parents Orlando and Hilda Kruschke; her sister, Diane; in-laws Lorenz and Martha Tiegs; and sister-in-law, Corinne Tiegs. Ardella was a wonderful wife, a terrific mom, and a proud and loving grand/great grandmother. "She's not my della, she's not your della, she's Ardella."

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