Ardella M. Wallerman, 90, of Norwalk left her earthly home to meet her Savior on Sunday, April 21, 2013, at Tomah Memorial Hospital, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born April 23, 1922, to Arthur and Emma (Kortbein) Garske in the town of Ridgeville. She was baptized April 26, 1922, and confirmed April 21, 1935, St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Ridgeville. She was united in marriage to Leslie Louis Wallerman on October 23, 1940, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Ridgeville, by Rev. C.E. Berg.
In addition to helping her husband on the farm and working at home, Ardella worked for local motels, for the cranberry growers during the harvest season and at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran School for the lunch program. She also was a tutor for St. Paul School, helping children with reading. She was a 4-H Leader and a member of the Ladies Aid at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, along with being a lifelong and faithful member of St. John and St. Paul church. She taught Sunday school for more than 20 years at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Ridgeville.
Ardella’s main focus was in her family. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother. She loved spending time with them. She enjoyed watching them grow and become productive from each and every learning experience. She looked forward to baking and cooking and serving not only her family, but also her friends. Later in life, Ardella enjoyed conversations with her family and friends, especially her sisters, reminiscing of the days she grew up and the struggles during World War II and how they prevailed during those hard times.
She also enjoyed working on word puzzles books. She would start with page one and didn’t skip a page until they were all finished. Ardella would check in daily about the activities on the farm with her son, Carrol. Ardella was a special lady, and she leaves us all with special memories of her kindness.
She is survived by a son, Carrol (Mary) Wallerman of rural Norwalk; two daughters, Deanna (Kenneth) Lenz of Tomah and Cherri Lynn (Tom) Phillips of Richland Center; six grandchildren, David (Andrea) Wallerman, Dawn (Jake) Barone, and Douglas (Amanda) Wallerman, Amy (Don) Fruit, Craig (Jackie) Lenz and Carrie (John) Palacios; 15 great grandchildren, Haylea Wallerman, Meadow, Makenna and Jackson Barone, Charlie and Maddie Wallerman, Jason, Stacie and Alissa Fruit, Abby, Micah and Nathan Lenz, Adrian, Elise and Isaac Palacios; three step-grandchildren, Dylan, Katie and Brent Riddlestine; two sisters, Fern Nell Becher and Mary Lou (Virgil) Sletten; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Leslie, and two brothers-in-law, Harold (Ruby) Wallerman and Ed Becher.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 25, at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, Tomah. Pastor Curt S. Backhaus will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to call from 4–8 p.m. Wednesday at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home in Tomah, and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service Thursday at the church. Online condolences may be given at www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com. Memorials may be given to St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church and St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Ridgeville, in Ardella’s memory.
