Ardella (Rathjen) Wiedrich

Ardella June Wiedrich, 89, of Hazen, ND passed away Tuesday, September 26, 2023 at Elm Crest Manor, New Salem, ND. Services will be held at 10:00 AM CDT on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, rural Hazen, ND with Pastor Bill Wagner officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM CDT on Friday, September 29 at Barbot Funeral Home, Beulah.

Ardella was born on June 18, 1934 in Krem, ND to Emil and Hulda (Wittmayer) Rathjen. She attended Elm Grove Country School until the eighth grade and later in life obtained her GED on May 20, 1975. Ardella married Clarence Wiedrich on September 9, 1952 at St. Paul Lutheran Church. In 1964, Ardella and Clarence moved to Ardella’s family farm in Stanton and lived there until moving to Hazen in 2006. They moved into the Senior Suites in 2016 and to Elm Crest Manor in 2019. Clarence passed away in 2021. The couple were very skilled polka dancers and won competitions from North Dakota to Washington State. They also taught lessons and enjoyed local dances.

Ardella was an excellent cook and enjoyed cooking German dishes for her family and friends. She had a knack for embroidery and also loved quilting. After her family, Ardella’s love in life was ice cream! She frequently said, “I scream for ice cream!”

 Ardella is survived by her children, Glenda (Duane) Miller of Hazen, Carlyle (Debbie) Wiedrich of Coopersberg, PA, Tracy (Sally) Wiedrich of Bismarck, ND and Courtney Wiedrich of Stanton; eight grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; one sister, Elaine Wiedrich of Hazen, ND; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence; her parents, Emil and Hulda; and her brother, Lester Rathjen.

Arrangements are conducted by Barbot Funeral Home, Beulah and Hazen.

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