LIVESTREAM LINK FOR ARDYTHE "ARDY" M. URBAN

Ardythe "Ardy" Merlene (Ohlson) Urban, 77, of Cherokee, Iowa, peacefully entered into eternal rest with family by her side on Monday, November 14, 2022, at Accura HealthCare in Aurelia, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 18, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at Meriden Evangelical Free Church with Pastor Jeff Harris presiding. Interment will follow at Good Hope Cemetery in rural Cherokee. Open visitation will take place from 3:00-7:00pm on Thursday, November 17, with the family present from 5:00-7:00pm at Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee. Online condolences can be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com The funeral service will be livestreamed on the Boothby Funeral Home website with the assistance of Fuller Digital Solutions.

Ardy was born to Clarence and Merle (McCord) Ohlson on December 12, 1944, in Cherokee as the youngest of five children. Growing up on the farm led to her love of horses, cats, dogs, and life on the farm. Having lost her mother at a young age, Ardy found talent and enjoyment in preparing extensive dinners for family.  This led to her love of cooking.

Ardy attended school in Aurelia and graduated from Aurelia High School as a co-valedictorian in 1963.  She was recruited by Stephens College, attended for one year, and transferred to the University of Iowa for the rest of her education to become a medical technologist.  She began work immediately at Storm Lake Hospital preventing her attendance at her college graduation.

In the same year, Ardy met Michael Urban.  A year later they wed on September 14, 1968, at Cherokee's Trinity Lutheran Church.  They enjoyed over 54 years together.

In 1970, Michael and Ardy had their first son, Jason.  Sixteen months later, their second son, Chad, arrived and they moved from Storm Lake to the farm near Cherokee.  Ardy left her job to stay at home and they welcomed a daughter, Heather, in 1980.

Feeling the effect of the farm crisis of the 1980s, Ardy picked up catering side jobs and worked for a short time at Dr. Richard Berg's office in Aurelia.  She was recruited to return to the Storm Lake Hospital laboratory in 1991 and retired in 2012.

Ardy had a love for babies, mother nature, scenery, camping, gardening, being on the farm, feeding friends and family, and laughing with those she loved.  She never met a stranger and her friends were friends for life.  She cherished her family, their values, and their togetherness.  They were her pride and joy.

She was a devoted member and treasurer of her childhood church, Mt. Olive Baptist Church.   Ardy was strong in her faith and was ready to meet her Lord and Savior.

Preceding Ardy in death were her parents, Clarence and Merle Ohlson, stepmother Mildred Ohlson, brothers Keith Ohlson and Kenneth Ohlson, sisters Joyce McIntosh and Joanne Miller, sister-in-law Kathryn Ohlson, brothers-in-law Lowell McIntosh and Richard Miller, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Left to cherish Ardy's memory is her beloved husband, Michael, of Cherokee; her children Jason (Camille) Urban of Adel, Iowa; Chad Urban of Cherokee; and Heather (Dan) Weiss of Coin, Iowa; four grandchildren: Bretton Urban, Mick Urban, Charlotte Weiss, and Dalton Weiss; one great grandson, Gunner Urban; sister-in-law Betty Ohlson; cousins, several nieces and nephews, and many, many friends.