Ardis M. Fleming

 Ardis M. Fleming

Ardis M. Lokken was born to Archie O. and Alice M. Lokken on February 13, 1937, at home in Russell, North Dakota. Ardis grew up on the family farm with her brother Allen, her sisters Phyllis and Gail, and her relatives who lived just across the field.

Ardis attended primary and secondary school in Russell and Newburg, North Dakota before taking classes in Bottineau at the North Dakota School of Forestry. It was a dream of Ardis’ to be able to attend the University of North Dakota but she did not think that she would be able to afford to attend. Ardis was accepted and she worked her way through school working in the university cafeteria and graduated with her degree in teaching. Ardis began her career teaching in Bagley, MN and then taught in Hastings, MN. It was then that she met the love of the rest of her life, Glen, who she referred to as “Ted”.

Glen and Ardis were married on June 24, 1967. They honeymooned in Europe for the entire summer. They shared the story that an American couple told them that if they got through that many weeks together traveling abroad just after getting married, that their marriage would last a lifetime. This time together indeed sparked a lifetime of love for one another and of traveling together. Throughout the years their home became a sanctuary of wood carvings and other items from their travels near and far. As a married couple they were not permitted to teach in the same school district in Delavan, WI. As a result, they packed their bags and moved to be able to teach together in the Greenfield School District. Glen remained teaching for more than 33 years in the Greenfield School District. Ardis taught most of her years in Oak Creek School District, taking 13 years off to be at home with their three children. Glen obtained his master’s degree at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Ardis obtained her master’s degree from Lesley College.

They started their family in 1973 when Ted was born. Jim was born in 1975, and then Maggy in 1978. Glen and Ardis made raising their children in Hales Corners and then later in Greenfield, WI their primary responsibility, hobby, and way of life. They actively and full heartedly encouraged, supported, and attended all events related to their children from their childhoods into their adulthoods. They both passed onto their children and grandchildren kindness, incredible work ethic, courage to always do what is right, a love of music, a love of the arts, a love of athletics, a desire to educate themselves, and a love of the outdoors.

Glen and Ardis’ house was a home full of music from their hearts through the tips of their fingers as Glen played the piano, ukulele, and sang to entertain others from his young years all the way to his time residing at Tudor Oaks Senior Living Community. Ardis also played the piano on a daily basis well into her years of experiencing Alzheimer’s. They went from one Milwaukee County Park to the next to listen to concerts in the parks. They had multiple season tickets at the various theater venues in Milwaukee in order to enjoy countless plays and musicals. They attended every sporting event of their children and grandchildren that they could and they lived as partners their entire lives.

Ardis endured dementia and Alzheimer’s for 15 years. Her ability to endure such a disease for such lengthy period of time had everything to do with the love the two of them shared for one another. Glen provided Ardis with the care she needed in their home for years until they moved to Tudor Oaks to continue to be together when they both needed more care than what could be offered at home. The Fleming family would like to thank the numerous loving caregivers from Comfort Keepers for their care of both of our parents during their years at home. The Fleming family would also like to thank the staff at Tudor Oaks for their care of our parents during their final months. Thank you for your care to allow our parents to feel dignified and loved during their final stage of life together.

Thank you for celebrating and remembering the lives of Glen and Ardis and the love that they shared for one another, for their family, and for their friends. God bless all those that were touched by the beautiful and unforgettable lives of Glen and Ardis.

Ardis passed away on Feb. 12, 2025, just 43 days prior to Glen.