Thief River Falls – Ardis Lorraine Foster of Thief River Falls, passed away on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at the Thief River Care Center in Thief River Falls, at the age of 97 years, 4 months, and 13 days with her loving daughter by her side.
Ardis was born on August 10, 1928, in Thief River Falls, to Edward and Olive Stoughton. She was raised in Thief River Falls, graduating from Lincoln High School, Class of 1946. She went on to attend the University of Minnesota in Duluth before moving with her family to Tucson, AZ.
On December 29, 1950, she was united in marriage to Ralph F. Foster in Washington, D.C. After a honeymoon to New York City to spend New Year’s Eve in Times Square, they made their first home in Falls Church, VA. While there, Ardis was employed by the Department of Labor. In 1953, they welcomed their first son, Ralph Allen, before returning to Thief River Falls where they were joined by son, Jonathan and daughter, Sandra.
From 1960–1968 they owned and operated The Junior Shop (a children’s clothing store) in Thief River Falls before Ardis went on to work for Union State Bank, The Jewel Box, and Corner Drug.
Among her many community memberships and affiliations in Thief River Falls, she was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church, organized and became the president of the local Mrs. Jaycees, Worthy Matron of Easter Star, Bethal Guardian for the Jobs Daughters, Girl Scout Leader, Den Mother for Cub Scout Pack #59, chaperone for the TRFinettes Drum and Bugle Corp, President of the Thief River Falls Ladies Golf League and an active member of her bridge club. She still found time to raise her children plus make and sell her many arts and crafts.
After a few years being “snowbirds,” in 1980, she and Ralph moved to Tucson, AZ where she worked as head cashier for Piccadilly Cafeteria and then Olive Garden before joining the Arizona Department of Revenue until she retired in 1993.
While in Arizona, Ardis was very active in their mobile home park association over the years serving as President, Secretary, and Treasurer. She was voted outstanding resident twice and created and kept up a very nice library for the residents in the club house. She wrote a book about growing up in TRF through the depression for her grandkids and great grandkids. Ardis was caregiver to Ralph for nine years until his passing in 2011.
In 2014, Ardis returned to Thief River Falls to live with her daughter, Sandee.
Preceding her in death are her parents, Edward and Olive; husband of 61 years, Ralph F.; son, Jon; great-granddaughter, Nova DeFrang; sister, Verna Hughes; and brother-in-law, James Hughes.
Ardis is survived by her son, Ralph A. Foster of Chandler, AZ; and daughter, Sandee Rude of Thief River Falls; grandchildren, Ryan Rude, Kelsy DeFrang, Cody Foster (Melanie) and Brian Foster; great-grandchildren, Paige (Derik) Sivertson, Trey Ladner (Zoe), Courtney (Deacon), Arielle (Jaden), O’Rian, Sabrina Rude, Koral DeFrang, Autumn “Rylie” McFarland-Foster, Citlali, Ava, Liam and Cillian Alvarez-Foster; great-great-grandchildren, Hadley and Blake Sivertson, Cohen Steele and Haisley Kiesow.
The funeral for Ardis was held at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 29, 2025, at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, with Reverend Kristin Ostercamp officiating.
Burial was held at Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls.
Visitation was held at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.
Memorials may be made to Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls and the Pennington County Humane Society.
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