Obituary of Ardyce Elaine Fries

Ardyce Elaine Fries of Twin Falls, ID passed away at the age of 88 in the comfort of her home on August 16, 2013. Ardyce was the first of four daughters born to Rev. W. J. and Lydia Oetting in Beemer, Nebraska on December 21, 1924. She started grade school in Holstein, Nebraska, then moved to Madison in the 3rd grade and finished school in Madison in 1942. After high school, she worked at the county courthouse in the district clerks office for one year. She then attended Midland College in Fremont, Nebraska for one year. She moved back to Madison and worked at the county sheriffs office until 1945 when she moved to Washington DC and worked for the federal government. In 1947, she transferred to work for the occupation forces in Tokyo, Japan, where she met Ernest “Ray” Fries. They were married in 1950. His military assignments took them to Virginia, New Dehli, India, Georgia, Nevada and Bangkok, Thailand. In Bangkok she worked for the US Navy Department for the officer in charge of Construction Southeast Asia. To this marriage brought two children, son Mike in 1954 and daughter Cheri in 1956. Finally in 1963, the family settled in Twin Falls, Idaho. Ardyce went to work for the agricultural stabilization and conservation services in 1964. In 1965 she started working for the U. S. Air Force Civil Air Patrol Liaison Office and continued there for nine years until the secretarial position was abolished after the Vietnam War. Ardyce and Ray enjoyed New Years Day get togethers with family and friends, making mega batches of waffles, mega batches of chili and watching different football games, all at the same time. They later divorced in 1973. In 1975, Ardyce started working for the Department of Agriculture Forest Service, continuing there until 1984, when she retired at the age of 60. After retirement she treated herself to a two week Trans Canal Cruise with several friends. She also volunteered to help senior citizens with tax returns, volunteered at elections, helped at the adult and child development center, worked part time at The Bon Marche, sold Tupperware and worked at Hickory Farms during the holiday seasons. Ardyce enjoyed reading, pinochle, water aerobics with her friends followed by coffee and visiting. She was an avid bowler, serving on the city and state boards, was secretary for local bowling leagues and state associations and was a life time member of the Idaho State Women’s Bowling Association. In 2004 she was inducted into the Twin Falls Women’s Bowling Association Hall of Fame. She was one of the best at needle point, making baby bibs, blankets and gorgeous wedding momentos for family and friends until her sight was impaired by macular degeneration. In 1966, replacing the traditional Christmas cards, she wrote her very first Christmas poem of happening details during the year. This was such a hit she continued this tradition every year until her death. Ardyce is survived by her children Mike (Trena) Fries of Boise, ID; Cheri (Doug) Freeman of Twin Falls, ID; three younger sisters Marilyn Adkins of Greeley, CO; Janice Glos of Oklahoma City, OK; and JoAnne Adkins of Omaha, NE; granddaughter Ame Linch and great grandson Aiden Linch of Kimberly, ID; granddaughter Tia Reynolds and great grandchildren Selah Reynolds and Jaydon Holladay of Boise, ID; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents. The family would like to thank Hospice Visions and Visions Home Care for helping Ardyce live out her dream of being able to stay in the comfort of her home until her death. In 1995 Ardyce—Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma and Friend gave us this gift of prayer so it seems only fitting now that we give this prayer back to her: “For a good angel will go with you, your journey will be successful, and you will come home safe and sound.” Thank you for being our own personal guardian angel. We love you and will miss you always. A celebration of Ardyce’s life will be held on Tuesday August 20, 2013 at 2:00 pm at Rosenau Funeral Home. A private family inurnment will take place at Sunset Memorial Park.