Ardys M. Skolas

Ardys M. Skolas, 90, of rural Westby, passed away Monday, April 24, 2006 at the Bethel Home in Viroqua. She was born September 11, 1915 to Elias and Nettie (Walters) Tryggestad. She married Argyle Skolas April 12, 1939. Ardys and Argyle acquired the Skolas family farm in 1944, where they farmed until Argyles death in 1995 and where Ardys lived until 2001. Ardys had only an eighth grade education until the 1960s when she obtained her high school diploma. She subsequently graduated from Vernon County Teachers College in 1970. In 1972, Ardys graduated from University of Wisconsin La Crosse earning a Bachelors degree, with honors, in education. She realized her lifelong dream of becoming a teacher, obtaining certifications as both a reading teacher and a librarian. Ardys taught reading at Summit and Hamilton Elementary Schools in La Crosse from 1972 until her retirement in 1983. A member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Esofea since 1939, Ardys held a number of leadership positions, including president of the council as well as several other council offices. She was an active member of the call committee working closely with the synod and seminaries to attract young pastors to rural parishes. Ardys shared her husbands love of the land and worked with him to advocate stewardship of farm land and rural life in the American Lutheran Church and later the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Ardys held various offices of the ELCW of Bethany Lutheran Church, including President. She served as the Sunday school superintendent and organized vacation bible school. Sharing her husbands interest in Angus cattle, Ardys served in a number of leadership positions in the Wisconsin Angus Auxiliary and the American Angus Auxiliary. She served as President of the American Angus Auxiliary in 1972, presiding over its national meetings at the International Livestock Exposition in Chicago and the American Angus Breeders Futurity in Lexington, Kentucky. She also chaired the scholarship committee awarding college scholarships to promising high school students across the US whose activities included raising Angus cattle. Ardys commitment to mentoring young people began as a 4-H Club Leader in Vernon County. She shared her skills in baking, sewing and presentation with 4-H Club girls. As she was working with youth, she participated actively in baking and cooking contests herself, winning a number of awards, particularly for bread, at the Vernon County and Wisconsin State Fairs. After her retirement from teaching, Ardys continued to teach reading by providing literacy training to adults as a volunteer for the Coulee Region Literacy Council. In retirement, Ardys volunteered for charitable organizations including service as Crusade Chair for the Vernon County Unit of the American Cancer Society. Ardys was an avid painter, working primarily in oils and also in watercolor, particularly following her retirement. More than 20 of her paintings adorned her room at the Bethel Home. She sold a landscape painting of Angus cattle at the American Angus Breeders Futurity to raise money for the American Angus Auxiliary Scholarship Fund. Her painting of the Westby House hangs in the Westby House entrance hall. Ardys is survived by her two children; John and wife Joan of New Hope, PA, and Marlene and husband John of Ivanhoe, Il; three granddaughters, Christine Oleson, Karn (Michael) Madding and Julie (Bernard) Cohen; two great grandsons, Julian and Ethan; and a sister, Violet Skolos. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary, her husband, Argyle, four brothers, Duane, Vernon, Virgil and Willard and a sister, Gladys (Bluske) Larson. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church in Esofea, Wisconsin. Pastor Lori Kleppe will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. Friends may call on Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Vosseteig Funeral Home, 708 S. Hwy 14 in Westby. Friends may also call after 10:00 a.m. on Saturday at the church. In lieu of flowers or plants, memorials may be directed to the Bethany Lutheran Church or the charity of the donors choice. The Vosseteig Funeral Home of Westby is serving the family.