Ardis Smiley

Ardis Pearl (Stage) Smiley was born Jan. 9, 1931, in Faith, S,D,, to Albert and Clyde (Timmons) Stage, Red Owl. 

 

On Friday, Dec. 22, 2017, Ardis went to be with the Lord and many of her loved ones who have passed on before her.

 

Gratitude, humor, quick wit, and an easy-going nature were present in Ardis's life. Her deep and ever growing faith in God was interwoven in the fabric of her life. Ardis showed patience, hard work, and humility. So often she was found selflessly putting the needs of other’s above her own. Ardis radiated a spirit of gentle grace and love without condition; it was felt by all who knew her.

Ardis attended first through seventh grade at Sherman School and her eighth grade year at the Red Owl School. She graduated from Faith High School in 1948. Following graduation, she attended a summer program at Spearfish Teaching College and received her teaching certificate. At the age of 17, Ardis took her first teaching position at Lucerne School. She taught for many years at the Lucerne, Sherman, and Red Owl schools. Ardis reminisced fondly of her teaching years saying, “I taught some great kids.”

 

Ardis was a talented artist and pianist, playing by ear from a young age. She enjoyed drawing, writing skits and plays, and playing piano for school programs and events throughout the Red Owl community. Area children received musical instruction from Ardis as she taught piano lessons in her home and music in the rural schools for many years. She was also a long time pianist for the Union Center Baptist Church. Most recently, Ardis shared her love of music by playing piano with a group of musicians at Heritage Acres in Sturgis.

 

In her years at Red Owl, she was very involved in the community as a school board member, secretary/treasurer for the Meade County Farm Bureau, Right to Life member, and substitute teacher. She found great joy and satisfaction sharing the love of God with children in various children’s ministries, both in Union Center and Stoneville.

 

Ardis married Robert “Bob” Smiley June 28, 1956, at Union Center. Four boys and two girls were born to the couple. 

 

Ardis loved working and living alongside Bob on their ranch near Red Owl, calling it home for 56 years until moving to Sturgis in September 2012. In addition to being an excellent homemaker and cook, she raised bum lambs and bottle calves and enjoyed gardening, canning, and planting flowers in the spring. 

 

Ardis was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and mother-in-law. Like Bob, she parented by example, leaving a legacy that is worthy to be emulated. In her busy life, she never failed to create time for her family through thousands of simple acts of kindness. She rarely missed her kids’ or grandkids’ school or church events. She will be dearly missed by friends and family.

 

Blessed and grateful for Ardis’s life are her five children, Rob (Kim) Smiley, Red Owl, Rick Smiley, Donna (Loren) Bruse, and Russell (Melinda) Smiley, all of Sturgis, and Diana (Luke) Lopez, Mobridge; and eight grandchildren, Sierra Bruse, Kristin Smiley, Blake Smiley, Shelbi Bruse, Caden (Jori) Smiley, Sarah Lopez, Sophia Lopez and Tanner Smiley.

 

Ardis was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bob; infant son, Cody; her parents; two sisters, Alice Jensen and Arlene Kolbu; and one brother, Elmer “Bones” Ashton.

Services were Dec. 28, 2017, at the Union Center Baptist Church with Pastor Harold Delbridge officiating. 

 

Burial followed at Pleasant View Cemetery at Red Owl.

 

Memorials have been established to Soldiers of the Cross at Union Center and the Red Owl Hall.