Ardith Iola Lauridsen

Ardith Iola Lauridsen, the daughter of Roy and Mildred Shoemaker Keasey, was born January 25, 1932, in Atlantic, Iowa and died October 28, 2008, at the Exira Care Center in Exira, Iowa at the age of 76 years, 9 months, and 3 days.
Ardith graduated from Oakfield Academy in Oakfield, Iowa, then attended Exira High School in Exira.
On March 15, 1950, she was united in marriage to Edwin Martin Madsen in Hamlin, Iowa Two children LeRoy and Linda were born to this union. They farmed two miles west of Exira. They operated a grain and livestock farm for many years. Edwin died in a truck accident in 1962. Ardith worked at the sale barn for a short time, then was employed as a waitress at several cafes in Exira. She worked in the food service department of the Exira Community Schools. On February 2, 1969, she married Marvin Lauridsen at the Exira Lutheran Church. Ardith was employed at the Exira Care Center until she retired after 20 years of service there. She enjoyed her home until she moved to the Care Center on August 8, 2006.
Ardith was a member of the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira. She also was a member of several card clubs. Ardith enjoyed her family, especially baby-sitting for her grandchildren.
Preceding her in death in addition to her husband were her son-in-law Craig Flathers; her parents; her sisters and brothers: Arvala Keasey, Dorothy Keasey, Mary Lou Goevig, Danny and Jackie Keasey, Daryle Keasey, her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Robert E. Madsen, May and Elton Olsen, Albert Moeller, Emmert and Florence Lauridsen, and Floyd Schwab.
Survivors include her husband Marvin Lauridsen of Exira, IA; her children: LeRoy Edwin and Diane Madsen of Atlantic, IA and Linda Ellen Flathers of Brayton, IA; her grandchildren: Krista Madsen and special friend Dan of Indianola, IA and her children Bryce Dishman and Michaela Madsen; Edwin and Holly Madsen of Exira and their children: Kennedy Madsen, Cole Madsen, and Alexis Madsen ; Jason and Kristi Madsen and their children: Allyson Madsen, and Wyatt Madsen; Tisha and Rob Jessen of Exira and their son Levi Jessen; Joleah Shaw of Iowa City, Iowa and her children: Zion Shaw and Ysidra Shaw; C. Alyn and Tracy Flathers of Treynor, IA and their children: Jacob Flathers, Claire Flathers, and Emma Flathers; Steven and McKenzie Flathers of Oakfield, IA and their children: Aiden Flathers and Brooklyn Flathers; her sisters and brother: Nancy and Roger Fusselman of Johnston; Sandy and Francis Free of Perry, IA; and Richard and Linda Keasey of Atlantic, IA; her sisters-in-law: Shirley Keasey of Jefferson, IA; Barbara Madsen of Audubon; Irene Moeller of Audubon; and Mildred Schwab of Exira; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Cemetery:
Interment will be in Exira Cemetery.

Visitation:
The family will meet friends Friday evening at 7:00 at Kessler Funeral Home in Exira.

Service:
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Steven Frock on Saturday, November 1, 2008 at 10:30 A.M. at the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira, Iowa.