Ardyth Jeanette (Wall) Rich, 82, of Sparta passed away Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010, at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse.
She was born Oct. 17, 1928, in Cass County, Minn., to Alfred and Myrtle (Robinson) Wall. She attended elementary school and high school in Ontario, graduating in 1947.
She attended Vernon County Teachers’ College in Viroqua, graduating in 1949, and continued her education at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, receiving her bachelor’s degree in education for first through eighth grade and Chapter and Title 1.
She taught in rural schools at Valley, Salem, Mayflower and Rockton and taught second grade and in the Chapter and Title 1 programs in Hillsboro. She retired from teaching in 1993, after 34 years of teaching. She continued teaching as a substitute teacher in Hillsboro and Sparta.
Ardyth married Avery Rich on June 17, 1952. They farmed the home farm until 1972. They moved to Hillsboro in 1972 and to Sparta in 1994. She was a member of the United Brethren Church of Ontario, the Wesleyan church of Hillsboro and Gospel Baptist Church of Sparta.
She is survived by two sons, Brent (Tracy) Rich of Sparta and Eric (Laura) Rich of Reedsburg; three foster children, John (Helen) Schultz of Spring Green, Wis., Jerry Schultz of Reedsburg and Jane Johnson of Spring Green, Wis.; three granddaughters, Kimberly, Stephanie and Kayla; six foster grandchildren, Kelcie, Valarie, Mark, Taira, Brian and Iris; three foster great-grandchildren, Kathryn, Clayton and Lilliana; a sister, Dolores (Charles) Anderson of Sparta; a sister-in-law, Louise Rich of Baraboo, Wis.; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Avery Rich; and a foster son, James Schultz.
Funeral services will be at 12 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, at the Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta, with Pastor Jef Skinner officiating. Burial will be in Forest Burr Cemetery, rural Ontario.
Friends and family may call from 10 a.m. until the time of services Saturday at the funeral home. Online condolences may be offered at www.lanham-miller.com. The Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements.
