Ardis Larsen

On July 2, 2026, at the age of 94, heaven welcomed Ardis L (nee Friton) Larsen. Ardis was born in Sleepy Eye, MN to Palmyre and Edmund Friton. She grew up on a farm with her brother Paul (Joy) Friton, and sister Avis (Vernon) Buckmeier. She became an LPN and worked at Sleepy Eye Hospital where she met a very special patient who became her lifelong love, Milton J Larsen. They were married for 69 Years. They began married life living on a farm in Morgan, MN where they had 5 kids, Lynette (Tom) Koehl, Dan (Jill) Larsen, Debra Larsen (daughter in law preceded in death), Polly (Jon) Lewis, Gwen (Kevin) Cummings and Marlene Larsen. In 1967 they moved their family to New Berlin, WI where Ardis worked full time, raised 5 kids and had a family cleaning business. She loved antiques. Her favorite collections were stars, bird houses, cookie jars, and Christmas tree pins to name a few. She was always joyful, kind, loving and fun. She loved to laugh and make people laugh. She enjoyed music and dancing. She loved spending time with family and friends. What she loved most was any time she could have with her grandchildren playing games, doing talent shows or attending everything from basketball to dance recitals. She had many grandchildren and was always overjoyed with the announcement of another new arrival.

Grandchildren: Michael (Sierra) Koehl, Joe Koehl, Ben Koehl, Sam Koehl, Dane (Dave Solomito) Larsen, Callie (Reed) Zweber, Katy (Chase) McClure, Hannah (Will) Pan, Evan (Danielle)Lewis, Maddie (Sam) Dana, Max Cummings, Lindsay (Jordan) Markham, Milton Cummings.

Great Grandchildren: Henry Larsen-Solomito, Cooper and Jack Zweber, Keely, Miles, Makenna, and Maizy McClure, Kailuo and Wenli Pan and Griffin Lewis.

Joyful, sweet and loving, you will forever occupy a place in many hearts.

avenly Father, we ask for mercy and grace for Ardis as she begins her journey to eternal life. Please bring her into your loving arms and grant her peace and rest. We also pray for those who are left behind, that they would find comfort and hope in your presence and the promise of seeing their loved ones again. Amen.

rdis’s life will be celebrated on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at Faith United Methodist Church, Sleepy Eye, MN with visitation at 10-11am.  Service at 11am and reception to follow. Final resting place will be next to Milton J Larsen at Home Cemetery, Sleepy Eye, MN. Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye.

Ardis was very enthusiastic when it came to genealogy and supported farming so in lieu of flowers, please send donations made out to: Cedar Mountain-FFA at 207 Gallager St., Morgan, MN 56266; Morgan Public Library local museum at Gilfillan Memorial Community Building, 210 Vernon Ave, Morgan, MN 56266; or Sleepy Eye Historical Society at 100 Oak St NW, Sleepy Eye, MN 56085.