Ardy Zondervan

Arleen Ardis “Ardy” Zondervan died surrounded by her children and singing on Thursday evening, Nov. 19, at Carris Health Redwood Falls Hospital due to complications of Covid.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 24, at First Christian Reformed Church in Prinsburg. Interment will be at Holland Township Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are with Tri-County Funeral Home. www.tricountyfuneral.com Ardy was born on a farm near Raymond, Minnesota on January 24, 1934, the daughter of Jerry and Jeanette (Roelofs) Apol. At the age of 5, she moved to Prinsburg after the death of her father.  She attended Central Minnesota Christian School for 10 years and finished her junior and senior years at Clara City High School.

On June 9, 1952, she married Nelson Zondervan and they moved to Savannah, Georgia while Nelson was in the Air Force for 4 years. After his discharge, they returned to the Prinsburg area where they farmed for many years. In 1993, they retired from farming and moved to Prinsburg.

Ardy was the happiest when she was busy. She was a true asset to the community. She was the first kindergarten teacher at CMCS where they met in the church basement. She began the 1st Calvinette program at First CRC Church. She was a successful Stanley home product salesperson for how 28 years. 

She later purchased the Village Inn restaurant that she worked and managed for 12 years with her friend Lorraine.  She began a Senior Citizen’s group in town. She planned many local excursions as well as  2 trips  to Europe, Australia, New York and Alaska. She traveled every state except Hawaii. In 2006, she received the honor of being Kandiyohi County Senior Citizen of the year as she made a difference in and touched so many lives.

Ardy loved volunteering for her church and the school. She was passionate about quilting and working at the New To You thrift store and persistently pursued others to join her.

She was instrumental in the construction of Cardinal Estates where she lived for 15 years. There she enjoyed coffees in the great room and playing cards with her friends, visiting with everyone who came through the doors and giving cookies to the neighbor boys and watching them play.  She is survived by her daughter, Sheryl (and Phil) Breems of Sioux Falls; her son, Steven (and Terri) Zondervan of Prinsburg; six grandchildren, Kent (and Dea) Breems of Pella Iowa, Justin (and Abby) Breems, Kayla Breems, Chelsey, Jordan and Jacob Zondervan, all of Sioux Falls and six great grandchildren, Tessa, Isaiah, Ava and Else Breems of Pella, IA., and Carson and Lily Breems of Sioux Falls, SD.  She is also survived by a sister, Marilyn and a brother Dallas Apol of Sioux Center, Iowa and sister-in-law, Tiena Zondervan of Willmar, along with many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; Jerry and Jeanette; stepfather, Ernest Ruis; husband, Nelson; daughter, Kathleen; sister, Gladys Groen; brothers-in-law, John Groen and Junior Niewenhuis, John and Harriet Zondervan, Fred and Rena Grussing and Henry Zondervan.