MADELIA–Ardis Mae (Bluhm) Johnson, age 91, of Madelia, MN died peacefully on February 4, 2024, at her home with friends and family.

Visitation will be on Friday, April 26, 2024 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Trinity Lutheran Church-Madelia and will continue on Saturday from 10:00 am until 11:00 am at the church. Service will be held at the Trinity Lutheran Church-Madelia, on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 11:00 am. The clergy will be Rev. Janet Adams. Interment will be at the Butternut Valley Cemetery in Butternut, MN.

Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in Madelia. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Ardis Mae Bluhm was born November 4, 1932 to Edward and Evelyn (Voigtlander) Bluhm in Waldorf, MN. She was baptized November 20, 1932 and confirmed April 14,1946 . She graduated from Waldorf High School. After attending Gustavus for a couple years, Ardis graduated from the University of Minnesota. She was a member of Beta of Clovia on the St. Paul campus. In 2006 the Beta of Clovia Alumnae Board chose Ardis to have an award issued in her name each year because she donated many quilts and contributed in a variety of other ways to the annual Clovia Bazaar. Her Clovia friends were very dear to her.

Ardis taught Home Economics in Zumbrota and Blue Earth, following her graduation, and then later continued teaching at Madelia High School.

Ardis married Richard Johnson on September 27, 1958. They had 2 children. Katherine “Kasey”, and Steven. She farmed alongside her husband. Together they built a house and created a home. Ardis encouraged her children to try new activities and pursue their interests which included music and theater. She sewed numerous costumes and read countless lines as Steve participated in numerous community theater productions. She provided support for and traveled to many horse shows throughout the summers.

In 1966, Ardis began her journey into quilting with a class from Joyce Aufderheide. Quilting became a lifelong passion. She taught Community Ed classes in many of the towns around Madelia, was a Charter Member of the Prairie Star Quilters when they formed in 1983, and was delighted to attend their 40th Anniversary as an Honorary Member in December, 2023.

Ardis was a decades long member of the local book group, Sorosis. There was the continual sharing of good books, discussions, and delicious food, with the Spring Picnic usually being at the Johnson Farm in time to view the hostas and new flower beds and try one of her newest recipes.

Ever the accomplished cook and baker, Ardis enjoyed entertaining. Most food was made from scratch and often came from her very large garden, fresh in the summer and frozen through the winter. She always took a cake to church or a meal to a family in need, could make a quick meal when it was needed, and had chocolate cake or another baked treat when the kids came home from school.

Ardis provided care for the elderly and those in difficult life situations through Wellspring Faith in Action and as a Mayo Mankato Hospice caregiver. Ardis was one of the initiators of the Tour of Tables fundraiser for Hospice.

Her family and friends were so important to her. She always let others know of her gratitude with handwritten thank you cards. The family would especially like to thank Arla Tande, Sira Bhakari, and Jackie Durheim for being Mom’s caretakers when Steve was working. Thanks Kal and Sira for providing Mom’s great grandmother experience through your boys Ajax, Axel, and Kal Junior.

Ardis is survived by her son, Steve Johnson; daughter, Kasey (Lee) Potzler; sister, Joan Bluhm; sisters-in-law, Diane Bluhm, Joyce Bluhm; cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard “Dick” Johnson; parents, and siblings, Beverly, Barton and Bob Bluhm, and Sheila Peterson.

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