Ardelle Kovar

A funeral Mass for Ardelle Kovar, 90, of Dickinson, formerly of New England, will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, March 16, 2018 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New England with Father Gary Benz celebrating.  Burial will take place in St. Mary’s cemetery.


Visitation for Ardelle will be from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, March 15, 2018 at Stevenson Funeral Home in Dickinson with a rosary and vigil service being held at 7:00 p.m.  Visitation will continue on Friday, one hour prior to the service at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, New England.


Heaven gained another angel on Sunday, March 11, 2018 as Ardelle passed away at St. Benedict’s Health Center in Dickinson after a lengthy battle with the devastating disease that is Alzheimer’s.


Ardelle Joyaline Johnson was born October 7, 1927 in rural New England, the daughter of Ole and Mabel (Paulson) Johnson.  Growing up, she attended school in the Strehlow Township through the eighth grade and graduated from New England High School in 1945.  Ardelle went on to receive her teaching certificate and taught for one year.  During high school she met the love of her life, Henry Kovar.  Ardelle and Henry were united in marriage on September 17, 1946 in Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Amidon, ND.  To this union, nine children were born:  Bonnie, Dean, Ray, Henry William V, Joanie, Karla, Arva, Pat and Casey. Ardelle was a devoted mother, wife and homemaker for her family. She was very active in various church and community organizations while raising her family.


Ardelle was very creative and spent countless hours sewing, quilting and creating craft projects.  She loved to keep active and could often be found golfing and bowling.   Ardelle will be remembered for her love of reading; as she read thousands of books, completing crossword puzzles from the newspaper and books of word finds.  She loved time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and having coffee with her friends.  Ardelle was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, St. Mary’s Womens Auxiliary, and the American Legion Auxiliary. She will be dearly missed and forever loved by all who knew her.


Ardelle is survived by her husband of 71 years, Henry IV; sons, Dean of Great Falls, MT, Bill (Trish) of New England, and Pat (Deb) of Dickinson; daughters, Bonnie (John) Tharaldsen of Bismarck, Joanie (Steve) Narum of Douglas, ND, Karla (Jimm) Renfrow of Anadarko, OK, and Arva (Neal)  Steier of Dickinson; brother, Willis Johnson of Dickinson; sister, Marvis Miller of Bowman; sixteen grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and five great-great grandchildren.


She is preceded in death by her parents, Ole and Mabel Johnson; sons, Ray and Casey; daughter-in-law, Linda Kovar; brother-in-law, Buster Miller; sister-in-law, Inez Johnson; two granddaughters, Sarah Kovar and Natalie Hankel; and grandson, Jason Kovar.


Memorials may be given to St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in New England.




kovar ardelle


Burial Date: March 16, 2018
Funeral Home Dickinson, ND
Church St. Mary's Catholic Church

Funeral Mass: 10:00 a.m., Friday, March 16, 2018, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, New England, ND.
Rosary & Vigil Service: 7:00 p.m., Thursday, March 15, 2018, Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson, ND.