She was born Aug. 9, 1929, to Richard and Frieda (Lintelman) Hilgendorf in Galena Township, Minn. She married Leo Henry Brolsma, her husband of nearly 52 years, on Sept. 4, 1948, at Immanuel Lutheran, a small country church in Galena. The church where she was baptized and later confirmed was special to Ardis, shaping her life-long commitment to God and family, while fostering her profound empathy for others. Ardis found much satisfaction living on the farm with Leo for the first several years of their marriage. She was reluctant to become a “town girl” when they first moved to Sherburn in 1962, but to her surprise, she cultivated many enduring friendships and enjoyed having neighbors close by. Ardis was all about loving and thinking of others. Whether it was her work as a high school cook for 25 years, her active involvement at St. John’s Lutheran Church, or volunteering at the Senior Center or Trimont’s Nursing Home, Ardis always befriended and helped others. She enjoyed catching up with former students and she never thought she was too old to call Bingo or serve meals to those in her community. Many have been touched by the joy, love and care she extended. Even though her father encouraged and agreed to pay for her to attend college, she chose not to accept his offer. Nonetheless, she was a life-long learner and valued her independence. Ardis lived the life she wanted. She took pride in the vegetable garden and flowers she planted every year. Right up to her death, her daily routine involved phone conversations with family and friends, writing cards and letters, solving crossword puzzles and whenever a partner could be found, playing a game of Scrabble.

Ardis’ parents and husband preceded her in death. She is survived by two brothers and their spouses, Robert Hilgendorf (JoAnn) and Bruce Hilgendorf (Lois), five children and their spouses, Bradley (Joan), Jacquelyn, Jennifer, Jane (Cleve), and Brian (Cindy). She will be greatly missed by her seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren, most of whom will fondly remember Grandma’s tradition of mailing Scotcheroos on their birthdays.

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