ARDITH FUERSTNEAU

Ardith Marie (Storing) Fuerstneau, age 80, passed away peacefully January 8, 2022. She was born in 1941 in Lake City, MN and attended school in Lake City, Wabasha, and Rochester. She married her lifelong love, Richard Fuerstneau, in 1958 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA and together celebrated 63 years of marriage.
They farmed in the West Concord and Wanamingo area for 10 years. In 1968, they moved to Plainview where they owned and operated Fuerstneau Sales and Service, Bou-Matic – Dari-Kool business. Ardith worked for Mack Publishing, Marcotte Jewelry and then as bookkeeper for their business until it was sold in 1992. In 2000, they moved to Elgin and resided in the Rolling Hills subdivision until they moved to Green Prairie Assisted Living in 2021.
Ardith was active in the American Field Service (AFS) student foreign-exchange program, was a member of the ILCW Women’s Organization at her church, and enjoyed sewing, baking (hosting annual Cookie Bake for the family), music, entertaining, crafts, traveling, attending the Minnesota State Fair for 61 continuous years, and spending time with her Therapy (coffee) Group and especially her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and family. Ardith’s life was a living example of Faith First and Family Always. Family gatherings and reunions were always her most treasured memories. As one of her nephews once said, you’re never in trouble with Ardith if you show up late but you’re for sure in trouble if you don’t show up at all!
Ardith is survived by her husband Richard, three children Kevin (Cindy) Fuerstneau, Julie (Jim) Peschges, Sonia Fuerstneau (Al Cooper); four AFS children Jean (France), Isik (Turkey), Maya (Malaysia), and Bea (Spain); four grandchildren Jessica (Cole), Keith (Kayla), Elizabeth (Brant), and Abby (Nick); four great-grandchildren Avery, Will, Keegan and Kai; brother David Schwirtz (Sue), sister Kathie Mangan, sister-in-law Kay Storing, brother-in-law Glen (Carol) Fuerstneau, and sisters-in-law Janet Fuerstneau and Fran Fuerstneau; plus many much-loved nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends – all of whom she loved deeply.
Ardith was preceded in death by her parents Marvin and Dorothy (Betcher) Storing and stepparents Ralph and Emma Schwirtz; one infant son; brothers Chuck and Eugene Storing and Raymond Schwirtz; brothers-in-law Jon and Ron Fuerstneau and Tom Mangan, and sisters-in-law Karen Fuerstneau, Carole Storing and Jean Schwirtz.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to all of the Mayo Clinic healthcare providers (especially Dr. Takahashi, Dr. Sahakian, R.N. Paula Wentworth and Alicia Anders from Recover Health) who cared so compassionately for her as well as her coffee “Therapy Group” for the many years of laughter, love and fun.
Due to COVID concerns, a small private ceremony will be held January 14, 2022 with a larger Celebration of Life being planned for June 12, 2022 with details to follow. The private ceremony will be viewable afterwards on the Immanuel Lutheran Church YouTube channel thenarrowgate3. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church of Plainview, MN or to the cancer research organization of your choice.
Schad & Zabel Funeral Home in Plainview is assisting the family with arrangements.