Ardis gained her new perspective, her soul soothed, and all fears were replaced on January 22, 2025. She came into this world in Grafton, North Dakota, on August 6, 1949, as the daughter of Theodore and Alma (Lundgren) Rike, and the baby sister of eight siblings. Ardis had fond memories of her childhood on the farm and felt encouraged to attend university far from home at Ambassador College in Pasadena, California.
College graduation, marriage and motherhood brought Ardis to Texas, where perhaps her Norwegian roots gave way to the boot-scootin’ dancing she loved! While she retired as an internal auditor from Williamson County, Texas, that was just her job. Ardis herself was a singer and lover of music, a poet, a painter, a jewelry maker. She was an all-around creative, a spiritual being having an earthly experience. Being of that nature, Ardis was independent and nonconformist in her thoughts and actions, always providing challenging and thought provoking viewpoints to family and friends. While Frank Sinatra may have sung “I Did it My Way,” Ardis surely changed the melody and made it her own by adding a few choruses, mostly about holding onto and always seeking the positive - denying the negative in all situations.
Her sweet nature and smile, while welcomed in heaven, will be sorely missed by all who loved her. Left to cherish memories of Ardis are; her most wonderful and loving husband, Ben Meharg of Sun City, Texas, daughter Renea Simcik, son Justin (Liz) Simcik, three step daughters; Carole (Arvon) Griffiths, Laura (Robert) Simon and Christina (Bernard) Dawson and all of their children along with her siblings; Larry (Alva) Rike, Robert (Audrey) Rike, and Thelma (Don) Kurtz, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Ardis forged life-long friendships and connections with women she called her “framily” and they share a grief in her loss while at the same time rejoicing in her heavenly healing. Ardis now joins her parents and five siblings; Jerome, Vernon, Eleanor, Elaine and Evelyn who preceded her in death.
A private celebration of life is to be held at a later date.
A poem by Ardis Meharg:
ON THE ROOF
I climbed up on the roof tonight
To gain a new perspective.
I sat up near the stars so bright
And all my thoughts collected.
It gave me chance to glean insight
And list some cons and pros.
I dabbled in the questions deep
Which only heaven knows.
The stillness and the quietness
I could reach out and touch.
The beauty and the peacefulness
Of stars at night, there’s much.
That falling star the sky set free
While sitting on a shingle
Of this old roof that’s holding me
Made my skin to tingle.
This new perspective that I gained
Up near the stars so bright.
It soothes my soul, all fears replaced
With peacefulness tonight.