Ardis Jantzen, 97
Memorial services for Ardis (Leder) Jantzen, 97, Freeman, S.D., were held on Nov. 9 at Salem-Zion Mennonite Church, rural Freeman. Ardis was called to her eternal home on Nov. 4, 2024.
Ardis was born to Herman and Ella (Graber) Leder on Feb. 2, 1927, on a farm near Freeman. She attended school in Freeman and graduated from Freeman Academy in 1945. Ardis earned a bachelor of arts degree in English and a bachelor of science degree in education from Bethel College, Newton, Kan. She was an elementary teacher at the Mountain Lake Christian School, Mountain Lake, Minn., and at the Jackson Public School, Jackson, Minn., prior to her marriage to Edwin J. Jantzen on June 16, 1954. This union was blessed with five daughters. They farmed north of Marion, S.D., operating a dairy farm for 40 years.
Upon confession of her faith in Jesus Christ, Ardis was baptized and became a member of Salem Mennonite Church. After her marriage, she became a member of Bethel Mennonite Church, rural Dolton, S.D. She was a Sunday school teacher for many years. With her husband, Ardis joined the Gideon’s International organization in 1970. She served as South Dakota’s State Auxiliary President for three years and as South Dakota’s State Chaplain for three years. Upon retirement and moving to Freeman, Edwin and Ardis joined the Salem-Zion Mennonite Church.
Ardis volunteered at the Et Cetera Shoppe, hospice program, and Oakview Terrace in Freeman. She enjoyed reading, quilting, gardening, cooking/baking, and entertaining guests in her home. She was intent on keeping her mind sharp and would recite the names of over 55 family members when she couldn’t sleep, by going through the alphabet, A through Z.
Grateful for having shared her life are sisters-in-law Wadie Leder, Canistota, S.D. and Donna Leder, Freeman; son-in-law Mark Manson, Marion; daughters: Carol Boehlje, Mason City, Iowa, Catherine (Kevin) Neuharth, Brandon, S.D., Sandra (John) Ostraat, Canton, S.D., and Audrey (Larry) Sloan, Chadron, Neb.; 13 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Edwin; her parents Herman and Ella Leder; her siblings Ella Leder (infant), Reva Glanzer, Willis Leder and James Leder; daughter Mary Manson; and son-in-law Ken Boehlje.
