Ardes Joan Alexander

January 4, 1932 - November 5, 2016

Ardes J. Alexander, 84, of Menomonie, passed away unexpectedly at her home on November 5, 2016. She was born January 4, 1932 in Rice Lake, Wisconsin to Guy and Dorothy (Moin) Stearns. She grew up in Canton/Campia and graduated from Rice Lake High school in 1949. She attended Lutheran Bible Institute and Minnesota Business School, Minneapolis, MN. She was employed as a secretary at Evangelical Lutheran Church headquarters, Minneapolis, MN. Ardes married Arden Alexander on September 11, 1954 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Campia, WI. They were married for 62 years. After short stays in Texas and Minnesota the couple farmed in Stanfold Township, Barron County, WI for 9 years. They moved to Spooner, WI for 2 years and then to Menomonie in 1969. Ardes was active with Our Savior Lutheran Church women’s organization and served as the president. She worked for several years as a temporary employee at UW-Stout library. She served on the ARC Board of Menomonie for many years. She also volunteered as a tour guide at Mabel Tainter Theater. She loved gardening and flowers, reading, walking outdoors, and especially her 5 children, 10 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren. Ardes is survived by her husband, Arden, children Kyle (Mary), Judy (Brad Chandler), Kristi (John Donovan), Charlotte, and John (Erin), her grandchildren Ryan (Elizabeth), Adam, and Jason Alexander, Bradley Dean (Brooke), Will, Eli, Tawny and Taylor Chandler, Hailey and Lauren Alexander, great grandchildren Avery, Brei, Madison, Dylan, Brooklyn, and Kennedy Chandler, sisters Erma (Jerry) Weed and Charlene (Mert) Maki, Sisters-in-law Janice Stearns and Anita (Donn) Wedin, and Brother-in-law Daryl (Diane) Alexander, and many cousins and friends. Ardes is preceded in death by parents Dorothy and Guy Stearns, brothers Philip and Larry Stearns, and grandchildren Levi and Emery Chandler. Funeral services will be held at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, November 10, 2016 at New Life Lutheran Church/Oak Ridge Lutheran Brethren Church 620 24th Ave. W, Menomonie, with Pastor Roy Harrisville officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the church. There will be a private burial at Evergreen Cemetery, Menomonie at a later date.