Ardis Winona Nilep

Ardis W. Nilep, 82 of Devils Lake, ND formerly of Pekin, ND died on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake. Funeral Services for Ardis will be held on Saturday, August 30, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. Rev. Rafe Allison will officiate and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Visitation on Saturday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Ardis will be Richard Kotrba, Chad Nilep, Orlie Thoreson, Leroy Shereck, Phil Steffan, Gordon Fugle, Walter Hanson and Mark MacDonald. Honorary Bearers will be All of Ardis’ Many Nieces and Nephews Music will be provided by Donovan Foughty, soloist and Lynda Pearson, organist Ardis Winona was born on July 28, 1926 at McVille, ND the daughter of Alfred and Sena (Otteson) Opoien. She was reared and educated at Pekin, ND, graduating from Pekin High School in the class of 1944. She attended Valley City State Teachers’ College and received her teaching certificate. She taught for 2 years at Bergen #2, Pekin and Dutch Point School at Tolna. On September 23, 1946, Ardis was united in marriage to Harold V. Nilep. They were married at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in a double ceremony with her brother, Wallace and his bride, Evelyn. After their marriage they established their home in Devils Lake where they lived and worked through the years. Ardis worked for 25 years at the Montgomery Ward Store. She operated a Home Day Care for 2 years then after 12 years, she retired from Gouldings Oil. Ardis was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church and the WELCA. She was also a member of the Rebekah Lodge and VFW Auxiliary. Ardis enjoyed ceramics, baking, canning and babies, truly all children. She enjoyed travel and she and Harold wintered at Apache Junction for 18 years. She will be greatly missed and forever loved by all. Ardis is survived by her husband of nearly 62 years, Harold Sons: Doug Nilep and his wife, Kathy of Denver, Colorado Darrell Nilep and his friend, Beth Fiebiger of Devils Lake Grandchildren: Chad (Junko) Nilep, Norman, Oklahoma Cass (Richard) Kotrba of Fraser, Colorado Great Grandchildren: Jade and Benjamin Kotrba Sisters: Beulah Gaarder, Minot Shirley Haas, Fargo Marlys Mathieson, Fairdale, ND Twin sisters, Margaret (Larry) Mannie, Clinton, Washington Marjorie (Orlie) Thoreson, Breckenridge, Minnesota Brothers: Allan (Donna) Opoien, Pekin, ND James (Louise) Opoien, Marinette, Wisconsin Many nieces, nephews and their families also survive. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Amy Howell; brothers, Bernard and Wallace Opoien and infant twin brothers.