Funeral Service Wednesday, April 4, 2018, 10:30 AM Zion Lutheran Church Manning, Iowa
Visitation will be from 5 PM to 7 PM on Tuesday, April 3, 2018, at Ohde Funeral Home in Manning. Visitation will continue at 9:30 AM on Wednesday at the church.
Officiating Pastor Jonathan Conner
Congregational Hymns "Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty" "The King of Love My Shepherd Is" "Hark the Voice of Jesus Crying"
Timothy Conner, Accompanist
Casketbearers: Russ Ranniger, Lynn Phillips, Cole Dreyer, Matt Linguist, Joel David, Matt David, David Kusel
Interment Manning Cemetery Manning, Iowa
The family wishes to express their gratitude for your kindness evidenced in thought, word and deed, and invites you to join them for lunch and fellowship at church following the committal service.
~Memorials may be made to Zion Lutheran Church or the Manning Plaza~

Ardith Darlene, daughter of Clarence and Beata (Schade) David was born on February 7, 1930, on a farm in Lincoln Township, Audubon County. She was baptized in March of 1930 and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church on May 30, 1943, by Rev. Walter H. Otto. Ardith attended Lincoln Township Country School for almost two years before her family moved to another farm east of Irwin. She then continued her country school education at county schools No. 5 and No. 9, and then graduated from Audubon High School in 1947. Ardith then went to work for Carlson's Hybrid Seed Corn Company as a bookkeeper for nearly three years.

On February 26, 1950, Ardith was united in marriage with Walter H. Lage at Zion Lutheran Church in Manning. After a brief honeymoon to Omaha, Nebraska, they returned to the family farm near Manning. Before they had their boys, Ardith worked part-time as a bookkeeper for Aspinwall Co-op and later at Culligan Soft Water.

Through the years Ardith was a member at St. John's, Trinity and Zion Lutheran Churches. She was very active for several years as a Sunday School teacher, member of church choirs, Ladies Aid, Ladies Guild, and as a dinner chairman. Walt and Ardith met at the Walther League Camp in Okoboji. After that they attended many conventions. After marriage, they joined and were lifetime members of Lutheran Layman's Club, attending many district and national conventions.

Ardith was also involved in multiple community service adventures. She served and worked with the Aspinwall Iowa Township Community Chest drives each year for 40+ years. She helped the county and township assessors before they went to the courthouse in Denison.

After Walt became a rural mail carrier, Ardith joined the Rural Carriers Auxiliary, and held different offices in her zone and district, including the organization's state treasurer. She was the treasurer of the state of Iowa for five years and helped audit for ten years. Walt and Ardith traveled and enjoyed many state and national conventions.

Ardith loved sports and traveled to many games of children and grandchildren. She also participated in bowling for a number of years. Starting with duck-pin bowling in Audubon and then bowling in Manning.

She also spent a lot of time in homes and nursing homes with parents, aunts, and uncles. All in all thirty years. They always loved to see one come. Especially at Christmas time to taste goodies, fudge and cookies she made each year for many years.

After Walt died in 2010, Ardith was able to remain in her home until her health declined in September of 2011. She then moved to the Manning Plaza and remained a resident until her death there on Saturday, March 31, 2018, at the age of 88 years, 1 month, and 24 days.

Besides her husband, Ardith was preceded in death by her parents; brother Lyle David; and brothers-in-law John Deist and Wesley Lage.

Ardith is survived by two sons Lance and wife Jo Ellen Lage of Atlantic and Brian and wife Kathy Lage of Manning; three grandchildren: Faye (Lage) and husband Cole Dreyer of Atlantic; Ashley (Lage) and husband Matt Linquist of Arnolds Park; and Eric Lage of Manning; a great-grandson Kaden; a sister Carlene Deist of Audubon; two sisters-in-law Colene David of Glidden and Audrey Lage of Waverly; and by nieces, nephews and many friends.