Ardelle McPherson
Ardelle L. McPherson was born at home in Willow Lake, S.D., May 2, 1931, as the youngest of three children of Emma and Peter Meyer. She attended school and graduated from Willow Lake High School at 17.
Ardelle attended Huron (S.D.) College and after six weeks, she returned to teach rural school for three years in Willow Lake and assist her parents on their farm.
On returning to Huron College she met and married Daniel W. McPherson in 1953, and they both graduated from college in 1957. Ardelle and Dan had two children, Lorrane and Daniel.
Ardelle had a passion for teaching. She taught in Huron for three years, moving to Irwin, S.D., then to Clear Lake, S.D., and finally to Sheldon, Iowa, where they made their home until 1975. They then moved to Chadron, Neb., Pierre, S.D., and Kearney, Neb.,
Ardelle continued to teach mostly middle school students. When asked about teaching that age, she often remarked “Somebody has got to love them!”
Ardelle and Dan retired in 1991 and moved to Custer, S.D. Ardelle was active in the church, most recently Custer Lutheran Church, was a member of P.E.O., and loved to cook, garden, entertain and research family genealogy. Ardelle enjoyed having friends visit and being a tour guide to the Black Hills of South Dakota .
As a couple, Dan and Ardelle delighted in searching out antiques and filled their home with their many finds. Ardelle relished showing off many antique dishes and furniture.
After Dan died in 2006, Ardelle continued to live in Custer until 2015 when she moved to the Tucson, Ariz., area to be closer to her daughter. Ardelle made her home at Desert Springs Retirement Community.
Ardelle died Sept. 1, 2020, in Oro Valley, Ariz. She was 89.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel W. McPherson; brother, Edward Meyer; and sister, Dorothy Maxwell.
Ardelle is lovingly remembered by her daughter, Lorrane (Bruce Fulton) McPherson of Tucson; son, Daniel (Debra) McPherson of Bismarck, N.D.; granddaughters, Makenzie (Nathan) Atherton; and great-grandchildren Leon of Grand Forks, N.D.; Morgan McPherson (Evan LaBrant) of Lincoln, Neb., and Madison McPherson of Bismarck; and a number of cousins, nieces, nephews, and many friends with whom she maintained close contact over the years.
A memorial service will be planned in the Custer area for a future date.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Custer Lutheran Church or Custer Senior Center.