Ardath Gibson

Ardath Pauline Gibson went to meet her Lord on May 5, 2012, at Benedictine Health Center.Ardath was born Sept. 28, 1915, in Bruce, Wis., Rusk County, to Myron and Lucy Cagley. She was raised in Bruce and graduated valedictorian of her class from Bruce High School in 1933. She went on to graduate from Minneapolis Business College working for her brother George at a grain exchange in Minneapolis. There she met Edmund Waldeland. They married and moved to Duluth in 1942 where they had a daughter, Ann Marie. Ardath worked as a bookkeeper at Economy Motors followed by 25 years as secretary/treasurer for Peterson Anderson Flowers when Lloyd Peterson and Leona Anderson ran the business. She was active in the Duluth Business Women?s Association serving as president for several years. Ardath and Ed divorced and she then met and married Robert Gibson. Together they enthusiastically supported the Duluth Dukes and traveled camping across the U.S. and Canada with their faithful dog Daisy Mae. Bob died in 1968. Ardath has been active in the Methodist Church, first attending Lester Park Methodist, where she participated in choir and circle. For the past many years Ardath was active in the Women?s Guilds and Circles at First United Methodist Church, where she planned and led activities for the Crafty Ladies Group. Her creative talents in design, crocheting, knitting, even painting Christmas cards is legendary. Her crocheted ornaments are distributed across the country and overseas. Her work ethic, energy and productivity were inspirational. She loved joking and teasing and jogged several miles each day well into her 80s. Most of all she was a great Mom and Grandmother. We will miss her most at Christmas when she always made time to travel to her out-of-statefamily.Ardath is predeceased by her mother and father, four half sisters, brothers Merwin and George Cagley, and husband Robert Gibson. She is survived by daughter Ann (Lou) Behling of Darby Montana, granddaughters Diane Behling of Sedona, Ariz., and Colleen Behling of Hamilton, Mont., as well as nieces and nephews.The family is grateful for the staff at Edgewood Vista,Ardath?s home the past three years, for their care and companionship. Also we extend our appreciation to the staff at Benedictine for their excellent patient care and familysupport.There will be no funeral at Ardath?s request. Private interment will take place. A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church on Wednesday May 9, 2012 at1 p.m. In lieu of flowers or gifts the family suggests donations to favorite charities in her name.