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Ardell A. Chrest • 1931 - 2007 Ardell was born March 17, 1931, to Arthur and Arlene (Home) Chrest, on the family farm near Lignite. He considered himself a lucky man to have been born and then to die on his family farm surrounded by his wife and family. Ardell started his grade school education at Foothills Township School and then later at the Clayton Township School in Burke County, ND. Ardell married Rose Gins on July 3, 1951 in Bowbells. Their first home was in Spokane, WA, where he worked at a meatpacking plant. They lived there for a short time and returned to North Dakota where he took a job working in the oilfields near Tioga, ND, and it was there, their family was started. Following the oil field job they moved to Rose's family farm near Bowbells. They later moved to the Jens Larson Farms and took care of cattle for the winter and in 1956 moved to the big city of Flaxton. At this time they had three daughters and were blessed with their fourth daughter in a home they had purchased as their first home. While living in Flaxton he was bartender at The Hole, and to the day he died had many stories to tell about those days. Ardell farmed with his dad from his early years until 1960 when his dad passed away. Following his father's death Ardell and his family moved to the Chrest farm south of Lignite, where they raised cows, pigs, chickens, dogs and kids. In the winter he plowed roads for Roy Falck and also hauled coal. Ardell and Rose had two more children to conclude their family of six. Ardell and Rose loved to camp and they spent a few winters in Arizona, but their favorite place of all was the Mouse River Park, near Tolley, ND, where they held some wonderful family reunions. Their days were filled with friends stopping in for coffee, trips to see family, lots of love, laughter and many cups of coffee at all times of the day. Ardell was a friend to all and his laughter will be remembered by all. His childhood friends and neighbors carried over to his adult years. His last year of life he was diagnosed with cancer, but his great attitude and love of life was an inspiration to all. He was a country boy at heart and was very proud of his John Deere line of machinery. His love of farming will be carried on by his son Tim. We will miss everything about this man, a friend to so many, a heart that was so full of love for all, and a laugh that made you laugh, but mostly those little winks that made you wonder just what was he up to next. His joking manner never ended. He showed us all how to live, but more importantly, how to die, at peace with all. Ardell was a member of the Lignite Fire Department and the Lignite Senior Citizens. He bowled on the men's league at the Lignite Lanes and he enjoyed playing pinochle. He served on the Clayton Township Board and was trustee at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Lignite until it closed. He was a member of Good Sam's Camping Club. As a youth he was a 4-H member and received an excellent penmanship award. He was currently a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Portal. Those who shared in his life, Wife, Rose, Lignite; son, Timothy (Holly) Chrest, Lignite; daughters, Rosalin Chrest, Minneapolis, MN, Joann (Donavon) Ellis, Lignite, Beth (LaVern) Petersen, Bowbells, Mary (Ted) Hawbaker, Portal and Susan (Kevin) Dixon, Lignite; grandchildren, Jamie (Tammy) Thingelstad, Alona Thingelstad, Joshua (Dawn) Ellis, Jarvis (Janice) Ellis, Amanda (Chad) Undhjem, Gabe Ellis, Gretchen (Mark) Feland, Kris (Sarah) Petersen, Kyle Petersen, Erica (Ryan) Pope, Jordon Hawbaker, Courtney Hawbaker, Bailey Hawbaker, Quinn Chrest and Karson Dixon; great-grandchildren, Mazie Thingelstad, Sierra and Jackson Ellis, Wyatt and Jenna Ellis, Caleb and Ellison Feland and Noah Pope. Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins survive. Ardell was preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Arlene Chrest. Funeral: Saturday, June 23, 2007, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Portal, ND. Visitation and vigil prayer service: Visitation will be Friday, (today) from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Portal, with a vigil prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at the church. Burial: St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Bowbells, ND. Celebrant of the Liturgies: Father Daniel J. Berg Music: Congregational Hymns Honorary Bearers: Family, friends, neighbors and all who touched Ardell's 76 years on this earth. Especially His grandsons, Jamie Thingelstad, Joshua Ellis, Jarvis Ellis, Gabriel Ellis, Kris Petersen, Kyle Petersen, Jordon Hawbaker, Karson Dixon, and Quinn Chrest Active Bearers: Ted Hawbaker, LaVern Petersen, Donavon Ellis, Olaf Christenson, Jr., Loren Butgereit, Kevin Dixon
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Ardell
A. Chrest, 76, Lignite, died Wednesday, June 20, 2007 in his
home.