Ardith Marie Ashley

Funeral Services for Ardith M. Ashley will be held on Friday, June 17, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Ragan, Nebraska with Pastor Phillip Clay officiating. Interment will be held in the Freewater Cemetery east of Ragan in Harlan County, Nebraska following the services.

Ardith Marie Ashley, 81 years of age, of Bridgeport, Nebraska (formerly of Alma, Nebraska), passed away on Saturday, June 11, 2016 at the Morrill County Community Hospital in Bridgeport. Ardith was born July 2, 1934 at Holdrege, Nebraska, the fourth of seven children born to Glenn and Ellen (Westergren) Ashley. She received her primary education at the Cracker Box School near Ragan and then at Atlanta, until completing her education from Ragan High School with the class of 1951. Ardith then began to pursue a career in teaching. After achieving her teaching credentials for her normal training, she began teaching with her two-year certificate at several schools throughout Nebraska and Wyoming. In the years come she continued her education at Kearney State College, where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Education. Ardith's teaching career spanned 45 years of education to elementary students.

She was a talented artist, especially in painting watercolors, acrylics, oils and charcoal mediums. She also loved to teach painting, enjoyed birdwatching, she had a passion for genealogy and spent many hours compiling all the history of the family. Ardith maintained her membership of the United Methodist Church in Ragan throughout her life.

In 2012 she began to make her home in Bridgeport, where she resided until her passing.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and three sisters: Merle Motley, Phyllis Konzack, and Estella Ashley.

Ardith leaves to celebrate her life; her two brothers: John Ashley and his wife, Janet of Holdrege and Anders Ashley and his wife, Sue of Alma; one sister, LaDonna Schluterbusch and her husband, Larry of Bridgeport; and a host of special nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 16, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma, Nebraska.

A memorial has been established in Ardith's honor and kindly suggested to the Ragan Methodist Church.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma is in charge of the arrangements.