Ardyce J. (Evenson) Clemens
Ardyce June (Evenson) Clemens, 76, passed away May 21, 2020, after a short illness, with her children by her side.
She was born November 10, 1943, the daughter of Ruben and Marion (Jacobson) Evenson in Pigeon Falls. After graduating from Whitehall High School in 1961, she moved to Minneapolis and worked as a secretary and bookkeeper for various companies.
In 1969, she married Thomas Clemens and in 1978, she had twins, Kirk and Kara. She was always very proud of her children and their accomplishments.
She overcame a lot of health issues in her life. In 1995, she survived a brain aneurysm. In 2016, she survived open heart surgery and a stroke. Despite these health issues, Ardyce loved her life and would never pass up the opportunity to make a joke. Even in the end, when her ability to communicate was limited, doctors and nurses would swear she was being sarcastic with them.
After recovering from her brain aneurysm, Ardyce worked at Children’s World in Brooklyn Park, MN., for many years as an aid in the baby room. Something she always loved.
Ardyce became a grandmother at the age of 66, a role she was born for. She loved her grandchildren, always making time to play with them.
When she retired, Ardyce moved from Brooklyn Park to a senior apartment in Rogers, MN. In 2016, she moved to Engel Haus Assisted Living in Albertville, MN., to be near her daughter and grandchildren.
Ardyce enjoyed traveling with her sister, Audrey. They went to Branson, MO., Las Vegas, NV., and many other places. A highlight was a trip to Norway in 2001, where she saw the sun never set above the Arctic Circle. She also took a trip to the Xcel Energy Center with her daughter and daughter-in-law to see her favorite singer, Barbara Streisand. Some of her favorite trips were to the Mississippi River and back home to Whitehall, to spend time with extended family and friends.
Ardyce is survived by her children: Kirk Clemens (Julie Huebel), Kara Andrus (Josh Andrus); her grandchildren: Sawyer, Crosby, and Finley Andrus; her sister, Audrey Holtan (Quinn Holtan); her sister-in-law, Mildred Evenson; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers: Roger (Morris) Evenson and Donald Evenson; sister-in-law, Verna Evenson; and two younger sisters.
Ardyce will be laid to rest at Hale Lutheran Cemetery, Osseo. There will be a private family service with a Celebration of Life event at a later date. Memorials can be made in her honor to Meals-on-Wheels or your local food pantry.
