1927 – 2023
Ardis Bloom Swenson, 95, passed away peacefully at home on January 27, 2023. She lived a long, full life, was dearly loved and will be greatly missed. Ardis was born on the family farm in Franconia, Minnesota, May 12, 1927, the youngest child of Hjalmar and Jennie (Keding) Pierson. She studied dance and dreamed of being a Rockette in NYC. Having skipped first grade, ‘Red’, as she was nicknamed, graduated early from Chisago Lakes High School in 1944. Following WWII, she married her high school sweetheart, Ralph Bloom, aka ‘Inky’ on June 23, 1946. Ardie and Ralph were blessed with five wonderful children: Thomas (Mary) Bloom, Douglas (Vickie) Bloom, Wendy (Christopher) Bloom Austin, Nancy (Michael) Miller, and Kathleen (Allen Bernard) Bloom. In their early years together, Ralph was a professional trumpet player with the Guy DeLeo Band and Ardie would tag along. There was disappointment among her dance partners when they learned the spunky redhead was married to the trumpet player and she just came to dance. They moved several times as Ralph grew his newspaper business as owner/editor, purchasing progressively larger newspapers, finally landing in Stanley, WI. Ralph passed away at 39 in 1964. Ardis picked up the pieces, taking over as editor of the newspaper, including her own column ‘The Melting Pot’.
On August 10, 1968, Ardie married Richard (Dick) Swenson and the family moved to Centuria, WI, adding Dick’s daughter, Kelley (Tim) Chrouser to the mix. In 1977, Ardis and Dick became co-owners of Calderwood Lodge on Bone Lake outside Luck, WI. During this time Ardis threw herself into her job as the “hostess with the mostest,” putting her vivacious personality on full display. After retiring from Calderwood, Ardie and Dick traveled extensively before settling into a joyous life of grandparenting and devoted involvement in their church. Dick passed away in 2007. Ardie continued her devotion to her church, her friends, and her family. Ardie loved dancing, singing, reading, theater, and going out to dinner. She was out-spoken, forward thinking, open minded and unfiltered. Her children will remember her stoic strength and perseverance. She let them fly free to be adventurous and to follow their own paths. Her daughters will remember the wonderful mom-daughter trips with love and laughter, our Thursday get-togethers, and her champion Tenzi skills. Her grandchildren will remember sleepovers at Grandma’s, the magic woods, and how she and Grandpa made every effort to attend their concerts, sporting events and other activities. Preceded in death by husbands Ralph and Dick, parents, sister Marjorie & brother- in-law Marvin Odin, brother Deforrest Pierson, step-daughter Kelley Chrouser, niece Adair Odin, and grandsons Christopher Bloom and Brett Runestrand. Ardis leaves behind her five children, 15 grandchildren- Jeanette (Cyril) Bloom Price, Erin (Aaron) Bloom Kasper, Benjamin Miller, Cameron Miller, Colin (Autumn) Chrouser, Chelsea (Mike) Bloom Topete, Amanda (Bucky) Bloom Thrash, Kari (Nik) Bloom Holton, Addison (Reid) Miller Filiatreaux, Lydia (Logan Zwicky) Bloom, Clay Chrouser, Lucy (Thomas) Austin Edmonton, Madeline (Erling) Austin Stoehr, Gwendolen (Russell) Austin Marshall, LilyAnne Bernard; many great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
There will be a Celebration of Life for Ardis at Joy Lutheran Church in Centuria, WI on February 27, 2023 at 11am, with visitation one hour before the service with a luncheon following. In lieu of gifts, donations to the Unity High School scholarship fund and Joy Lutheran Church would be appreciated.
