Ardis Johnson-Svenning Obituary (1922

Ardis Lindman Johnson-Svenning, 91, of Kent, WA, passed away on Monday, September 23, 2013 as a result of complications following a fall. She was born in Isanti, MN on September 15, 1922 to Emanuel and Viva Jonnson Lindman. During her life, she worked for Smith Brother's Dairy, Strains Auto, Washington State Dairy Federation as Executive Secretary and Lobbyist. Ardis was a 4-H leader, where she greatly influenced the lives of the members. She was a Sunday school teacher, as well as a chaperone for People to People International Youth Program. She was a 50-year member of PEO. In 1965, the South King County Arboretum was founded by Ardis, Lillie Wagner, and Kent Mayor, Isabel Hogan. Ardis was active in the business community in Maple Valley, WA where she served as the first woman president of the Maple Valley Chamber of Commerce. Ardis and her first husband, Karl, owned and operated a dairy farm on Kent East hill until 1965 when it was sold to Meridian Valley Country Club. She and Karl joined in partnership with their son Stan and daughter-in-law Tina, to open Wilderness Hardware at Wilderness Village. In 1980, Ardis sold her interest in the hardware store to her sons, so she could develop 4 Corners Square, which she successfully operated until 2004, when she sold the development to KRG. Ardis and Karl Johnson were married in 1942 and they enjoyed boating, camping, and square dancing at Peacock's Barn in Hobart. Karl preceded her in death in 1971. Ardis married Arville Svenning in 1996. They loved to travel, entertain their grandkids, and split their time between Wesley Homes in Des Moines, WA and Leisure World in Mesa, AZ. Arville passed away in February 2013. Ardis was preceded in death by her husbands, her sister Mildred, brothers, Manley, Stanley, and Walter. She is survived by her brother John (Anne) Lindman, Apache Junction, AZ, her sons, Stan (Tina) Johnson Chelan, WA, Jerard (Karen) Johnson Kent, WA, daughters, Karen (Tim) Oakley Damascus, OR, Eloise (Dwight) Opp Newport, WA. 14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren further survive her. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, October 1, 2013 at 10 o'clock a.m. at Kent United Methodist Church, 11010 SE 248th St., Kent, WA 98030 In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: Kent United Methodist Church Building Fund or Green River College Foundation Scholarship Fund, 12401 SE 220th St. Auburn, WA 98092. Memorial Service 10:00a.m. ,Tuesday, October 1, 2013 Kent United Methodist Church 11010 SE 248th St. Kent, WA 98030