Ardenia Ruth Madsen of Brush, Colorado went home to be with Jesus, on Tuesday, September 28, 2021.  She was currently residing at Ebenezer Lutheran Care Center in Brush.

Ardenia was born in Brush, Colorado to George and Lydia Foos on September 13, 1929.  Except for a few years in Akron, Colorado, Ardenia was a lifelong resident of Brush.  She married Wayne Lorensen of Brush, Colorado on June 6, 1948, and was preceded in death by her husband Wayne following an illness.  Wayne and Ardenia had three children, Ronald (aka. Scott), Sharon, and David.

Ardenia married Ray Madsen on February 12, 1956.  Ardenia and Ray had one child, Kirk.  Ray formally adopted Ronald, Sharon, and David a short time after their marriage.  Ray and Ardenia continued to live in Brush for the rest of their lives.

Ardenia told her children stories of hoeing beets in the fields around Brush during her childhood years.  Ardenia remembered her household chores of helping with the dishes which she said became much easier after running water was introduced to the house.  She oversaw laundry duties at home where washing was done in a wash tub with a scrub board and home-made lye soap.  Later she worked as an usher in the local movie theatre, as a soda jerk at the Rexall Drug store in Brush and sacked groceries at the local Safeway store.  As an adult she was employed by the Brush School District as an administrative assistant and worked for Mohrlang Manufacturing and the City of Brush as a bookkeeper.

In high school, Ardenia took part in chorus, class plays, junior honor society, and served as drum majorette for the Brush marching band.  She was prom queen her senior year and was a class officer in her junior and senior years.  Ardenia loved music, singing in church choirs, and was a member of the music club in Brush.  She enjoyed playing golf, reading, counted cross stitch, swimming, playing bridge, riding her bike and was a Red Cross volunteer.  She and Ray loved to travel with friends and family and developed many life-long relationships along the way.  In later years, going to lunch with friends became a highlight of her week.  Most recently, Ardenia passed time by coloring stacks and stacks of coloring books, her electronic pencil sharpener always at her side.

As a mother, her memories recalled the household as full of noise, music, cookies in the cookie jar, friends congregating, and no big knockdown drag outs, or run ins with the law.  She felt truly blessed as a mom.  She gave the following advice to other parents gleaned from her own experiences. "Parents do the best they can with their knowledge and resources at a given time.  It takes becoming a parent to know the meaning of unconditional love.  Listen, pray daily, give the kids the gift of time, give them roots, and then wings."

Ardenia's faith was an important part of her life.  She expressed the thought that, "No matter what happens, joy or sadness, the Lord is there to help us if we let Him."  She was fond of a quote that stated, "We should cling to God like a burr clings to a wool coat."  She acted on her faith as a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, a member of the choir, and a volunteer for many activities.

Ardenia was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Dorothy Rutherford. She is survived by her husband Ray of Brush, Colorado, sons Ronald (Berdean) of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, David of Brush, Colorado, Kirk (Krista) of Littleton, Colorado, and daughter Sharon Lessman (Brian) of Windsor, Colorado.  Additionally, she is survived by 10 grand children and 14 great grandchildren.

A graveside service and inurnment for Ardenia will be held at the Brush Memorial Cemetery Interment Chapel near the Columbarium located at 1110 Mill Street in Brush on Wednesday, October 6, 2021, beginning at 12:00 noon.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Ebenezer Lutheran Care Center of Brush Colorado.  Cards and condolences may be sent to Ray Madsen at Ebenezer Lutheran Care Center, 122 Hospital Road, Brush, Colorado, 80723.

"May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father encourage you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.  God loved us and through his grace he gave us a good hope and encouragement that continues forever."  2 Thessalonians 2:16-17.  "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful servants." Psalm 116:15