Ardith Peuser

Ardith Lois Peuser, 84, Jamestown, ND passed away peacefully in her home on May 22, 2012.

Ardith Johnson was born September 26, 1927 in Ambrose, North Dakota, one of four daughters born to Alfred and Agnes Johnson. Her father sold rural real estate when she was growing up which resulted in the family moving around and living in several towns in NW North Dakota, including Fortuna, Minot, Harvey and Bottineau, before settling in Jamestown.

Ardith was an excellent student while living in Bottineau winning American Legion Awards in 7th and 8th grade and was a spelling bee champion as well as an honor roll student. She contracted an illness while attending high school in Jamestown which prevented her from finishing her senior year. She later obtained her high school diploma in Billings, Montana and attended Rocky Mountain College.

Ardith held several jobs following school including working as a drive-in car hop, department store clerk and a hostess at the east entrance of Yellowstone Park. She lived in Seattle with a friend for a while before moving back to Jamestown.

She married Horst Peuser on New Year?s Eve, 1955 at Trinity Lutheran Church and made their home in Jamestown where they raised 5 children.

Ardith loved her family very much. Despite living with an illness throughout her life she always had a positive outlook on life and loved to joke and laugh. She had a great sense of humor. She also had a soft spot for animals especially for her cat, "Pixie."

Ardith is survived by two daughters, Carol Sullivan (Bill), Fargo, ND, Cheryl Drew (John), Bismarck, ND and three sons, Kerry (Susan) Peuser, Fargo, ND, Kevin (Nanette) Peuser, Fargo, ND and Howard (Deb) Peuser, Jamestown, ND; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Bonnie (Richard) Moody, San Diego, CA and Doris (Don) Coon, Arvada, CO.

She is preceded in death by her husband; one son, Jeffrey; her parents; and one sister.