Ardis Viola Kveene

Ardis Kveene, age 88 of Appleton, passed away Thursday, February 16, 2023, at Bethesda Grand in Willmar.  Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., with a Rosary starting at 4:30 p.m., Monday, February 20, 2023, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Appleton.  Visitation will resume from 10-11 a.m., followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at the church. Burial will be in Appleton City Cemetery. Fr. Jeremy Kucera will officiate.

Ardis Viola Kveene was born September 26, 1934, in Madison, Minnesota, the daughter of Albert and Alice (Larson) Vonderharr. She was baptized on September 30, 1934, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Madison, by Father K. Wohlfohrt. Her First Communion was March 14, 1944, also at St. Michael’s Catholic Church by Father Fredrick. Ardis was confirmed  April 27, 1947, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church by Bishop William O. Brad. She was raised on the family farm in rural Madison. Ardis attended St Michael’s Parochial School through the 8th grade, and then Madison High School, where she graduated, Class of 1952. After high school Ardis enrolled at the Minneapolis Business College.

On December 24, 1954, she was united in marriage to Obert Kveene at Fort Bliss, Texas, by Chaplain John B Rettagliata. Obert and Ardis lived in Hawaii from 1954-1956 while he was serving in the Army; stationed at Schofield Barracks. After departing the Army, they farmed in the Madison area until 1964 when they moved to Holloway, farming until 1988. In 1997 they moved into Appleton and Ardis moved to Bethesda Grand, Willmar in 2020.

Ardis was first and foremost a mother and farm wife; however, over the years she also worked as a secretary at Pillsbury Mills, a bookkeeper at Gambles Store in Madison, was secretary for the Madison High School Principal, was the Organist for 26 years at St Joseph Catholic Church, Holloway, and was Secretary of Parish Council. After St Joseph Catholic Church closed, she became active in St John’s parish. Ardis was also a long-time member of the VFW Auxiliary and was Treasurer for 12 years. She enjoyed doing volunteer work until her health would no longer permit it. Ardis also enjoyed music, traveling, flowers & painting ceramics. The light of her life was her family and her faith.  She loved family gatherings, especially Christmas, when the house was bursting at its seams.  The sound of childrens’ laughter warmed her heart and she enjoyed her relationship with all of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Church was especially important to her and she really enjoyed attending and worshipping with her family when they were in town for a visit.

Ardis passed away Thursday, February 16, 2023, at Bethesda Grand in Willmar. She attained 88 years, 4 months, and 20 days of age. Ardis is survived by her children: Douglas (Julie) Kveene of Willmar, Randall (Leslie) Kveene of Willmar, Norman (Kelly) Kveene of Pennock, Julie (Tim Littleton) Behrens of Monument, CO, Michael (Melissa) Kveene of New Prague, Jerilyn (David) Erickson of Lonsdale, and Patricia (Bradley) Swenson of Milbank, SD; 19 grandchildren: Jeanne Ashburn, Kristina LaBrie, Andrew Kveene, Jennifer Gunlogson, Rebecca Langner, Angela Milo, Stephanie Hoff, Christopher Kveene, Alison Kveene, Michelle Lewallen, Kristen Oase, Brandon Kveene, Danielle Johnson, Anthony Kveene, Kaitlyn Turner​, Stephen Erickson, Nathan Erickson, Montana Swenson and Cole Swenson; 32 great-grandchildren: Zachary Ashburn, Emily Ashburn, Lucas LaBrie, Kennedy LaBrie, Brooks LaBrie, Ryne LaBrie, Aiden Kveene, Addison Kveene, Amelia Kveene, Alaina Kveene, Daniel Gunlogson, Benjamin Gunlogson, Brynn Langner, Max Langner, Dominic Milo, Wyatt Hoff, Eli Hoff, Charlotte Kveene, Olivia Lewallen, Elayna Lewallen, Liam Kveene, Blake Johnson, Cali Johnson, Ryan Kveene, Mckenzie Kveene, Kane Stocker, Maelyn Stocker, Noah Turner, Olivia Turner, Bjørn Erickson, Torsten Erickson, and Everly Erickson; sister, Rosella Kallhoff of Canby; brothers: Charles (Shirley) Vonderharr of Fridley, and Thomas (JoAnn) Vonderharr of Roseville; sister-in-law, Virginia Christensen of Omaha, NE; brother-in-law, Alwood (Elois) Kveene of Madison; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Obert Kveene on April 5, 2003, her son, John Kveene on February 11, 2015, her infant daughter, Elizabeth Kveene on May 2, 1970; her parents, Albert and Alice Vonderharr; her parents-in-law, Nels and Stina Kveene; sister, Louise Dohm; brother, Linus Vonderharr; brothers-in-law: Alfred Kallhoff, Theodore (Ardis) Kveene, and Arthur Kveene.

Blessed be the memory of Ardis Viola Kveene. Memorials preferred to St John’s Catholic Church, Appleton and Hope Pregnancy Center, Willmar.