Ardith Ruth (Hartzell) Bernhardt passed away September 21, 2021

BERNHARDT—On Sept. 21, 2021, Ardith Ruth (Hartzell) Bernhardt, age 91, decided it was time to go.

Ardith lived in the Florence area her entire life, being born to Lyle Sr and Mildred (Harrington) Hartzell on Nov. 27, 1929, in Acme, Ore., where Cushman now resides. She was one of four children, with Betty Lou and Marilyn as elder siblings and Lyle Hartzell Jr. (Ossie) as younger.

She graduated from Siuslaw High School Class of 1947 and married Charles Roland Bernhardt in 1948. To them were born five children: Catherine Louise, Leslie Charles, Julie Ann, Jeffrey Lyle and Chris Alan Bernhardt.

Ardith and Charles separated in 1963 and Cathy, Les and Julie preceded her in death.

Grandchildren and great grandchildren came from all over the US to visit her every year, as well as her siblings, nieces and nephews.

Ardie worked for Lane County Public Welfare, where she helped families receive food and shelter before she retired and traveled the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Ardie had lunch with her lifelong friends once a week in Florence and every morning enjoyed reading the paper and doing crossword puzzles with a cup of hot chocolate, right up to her final morning.

Her neighbors in Glenada will miss the daily encouragement of seeing her walking without an aid the long distance to get her mail that she had done for years, a testament to a long life lived to the fullest.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Western Lane Community Foundation's Brittany Hartzell-Baguley Scholarship fund.