Ardith Morton, 95

Ardith Mardell (Hale/ Bauer) Morton died May 10, 2022, at her home in Cheney, WA at the age of 95. She was born October 10 , 1926, at Tuthill, SD to Taylor and Mae Hale. She was raised in the Eli area, going to school at Eli. She completed high school at Cody High School in 1944. After graduation Ardith signed up to train in a wartime nursing program for the military in Washington state. That program was halted when the war ended, and Ardith proceeded to obtain her nursing degree through Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA and received her nursing degree on January 8, 1946.

Ardith married Alexander Bauer and they set up a home. Ardith nursing and Alexander as a radiation monitor for Hanford/General Electric. They had four children: Michael, Linda, Nola and Monty. Ardith continued to serve as a nurse at Prosser Memorial Hospital in Washington.

After Alex and Ardith divorced, and the children were out of the home, Ardith and Lloyd Morton, childhood classmates renewed their acquaintance. They were married on August 17, 1980, at the Gordon Church of God in Gordon. Lloyd and Ardith lived on Lloyd’s ranch near Merriman/Eli. They enjoyed traveling and being at home. Ardith was a tremendous homemaker, and lover of family, enjoying cooking, baking and crafting. After ten years of marriage Lloyd passed away of a heart attack in 1990, leaving the ranch to his son. Ardith moved to Merriman where she lived until she moved to Cheney, WA in 2012.

Ardith worked at the Bowring Ranch as the famous “sod house lady” tending the garden and sod house. She delighted visitors with her role of prairie pioneer woman, stories of early hardships and lore while cooking on the wood stove and open fire like the women in the early years of prairie living. She delighted in giving tours of her sod house on the prairie, doling out treats, plants and wisdom.

Ardith became a master gardener in 1995 getting her training in White River, SD, while serving both south central south Dakota and north central Nebraska. She developed a specialty for herbs and gave many programs in the South Dakota and northern Nebraska areas. Her gardens both at home and at the Bowring Ranch served as a classroom for her love of plants.

Ardith also served her neighbors, bringing small gifts of flowers, baked goods, and garden knowledge. She looked after many a neighbor, taking them to the doctor, and getting groceries for them. Family was so important to her. She loved studying genealogy for both Lloyd and herself, gathering pictures and stories to pass on to those as interested as she was. Ardith never missed a birthday card to family members and faithfully wrote letters to many friends all during her life.

Ardith was proceeded in death by her parents, Taylor and Mae Hale, many of her brothers and sisters and her son, Monty Hale.

Ardith is survived by her children Michael Bauer (Lynda) of Yakima, WA, Lynda Matz of Cheney, WA, Nola Prevost of Vancouver, WA, eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and many Nebraska/ South Dakota friends and family that have cherished her bright smile and upbeat “Hello” whenever you dropped in, or she answered the phone. She will be sorely missed.

Ardith will be celebrated in the Eli Church at 2:00 p.m. MT on August 23, 2022, in Eli. A graveside service will be held at Connelly Flats south of Eli, after the service. In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations for Connelly Flats Cemetery upkeep, located south of Eli, can be sent to Lorraine Eatherton, PO Box 905, Atkinson, NE 68713.