Obituary of Ardith Bilstad Peterson

"Ardy" Peterson, 87, a long-time resident of the Live Oak area of Santa Cruz, California died on October 16, 2013. Born on August 18, 1926 in Crosby, North Dakota, Ardy was one of seven children growing up on a family farm. Her parents were Swen Peter Bilstad and Hanna Louise Olson. Ardy graduated from Crosby High School and attended Concordia College, Moorhead, MN, for one year in 1945. In 1947, Ardy left North Dakota and moved to Chicago, Illinois seeking employment. Once in Chicago, Ardy lived at various times with her sisters, Helen Krilcic, Viola "Vi" Killian, and Ebie Ignatowski and her brother Myron Bilstad, until 1956. On November 11, 1956 Ardy surprised her family and eloped to Las Vegas, Nevada and married Ralph Irving Peterson. After marriage, Ardy and Ralph lived and worked in the Chicago area. Ardy was the bookkeeper for Ockerlund Construction Company in Morton Grove, Illinois, and Ralph worked for U.S. Steel until they retired to Grants Pass, Oregon in 1981. There they built a home on five acres of land right next door to her sister Viola and husband, George Killian. Following Ralph's death in 1986, Ardy and Vi (who lost her husband George in 1984) decided to move to Santa Cruz, California, where they shared a home in Live Oak. Ardy will always be thought of as someone who was an avid correspondent, a tenacious record-keeper, and a devoted friend, sister, and aunt. She loved classical music, was a member of her church choir for 25 years, and never forgot to send a card commemorating a birthday or anniversary or providing get-well wishes or encouragement. Ardy is survived by her sister, Elaine Ignatowski and her family (Chicago, Illinois), and will be lovingly remembered by her many nieces and nephews, including Gail Heit (Santa Cruz, California), David Killian (Fairfield, California), Donna Hardesty (Arlington Heights, Illinois), and Carol Passaneau (Park Ridge, Illinois). A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. in the Prayer Garden and Columbarium at Christ Lutheran Church in Aptos. Gifts may be made in Ardy's memory to Christ Lutheran Church (10707 Soquel Drive, Aptos, California, 95003).