Obituary of Mary "Ardie" Gulden

Mary Ardith Gulden, known to most as “Ardie” was born April 4th, 1928 south-east of Bethune, Colorado where her parents Melvin and Edna (Biesecker-Perry) Gulden were farming. She joined her half siblings Earl and Marie, along with sisters Helen and Doris on the farm. Being the baby of the bunch, she had it a little easier with the farm chores than her siblings. When asked by her father in the early years what kind of a farm she wanted to live on and being the meat-eater of the family, she answered proudly that she wanted a “wiener farm”. Ardie often recalled the dust days of the 30’s when times were tough and her mom and sisters had to put up wet sheets to try to stop the dust from getting inside the house, which was an endless chore, and something she hoped to never see again. Ardie attended Prairie Star country school walking quite a distance daily until moving to school in the town of Bethune at the start of 9th grade. She graduated from Bethune high school in 1946 at which time they were still living on the farm south of Bethune. After her dad died in 1945, they struggled to make it on the farm and in 1947 they decided to sell the farm and move into Burlington. She was sad to leave the farm and sadder yet to leave her dog behind. In November of 1948 a friend talked Ardie into going to work at the new Burlington hospital where her sister Helen had started working, which had just opened that summer and was located just a block east of their home. She spent the next 38 years as a licensed practical nurse there, mostly working in the emergency and operating rooms and central supply. She really enjoyed working with the doctors and other nurses there and made many lifelong friends from her years of employment. Ardie stayed in the home on 17th Street taking care of her mom Edna until she passed away in Feb. of 1980. In 1981 she decided it was time for a little change so she purchased a home on North 14th street next door to one of her best friends from her hospital years. She enjoyed being close to Dora and the Knapp family while sharing in their lives over the years, considering them as extended family. Ardie enjoyed family functions whether it be with the Perry, Clemans, Schulte/Tapia, Travis, Hasenbalg or Schaal families and being involved in all the nieces, nephews and later great and great-great nieces and nephews various activities was always special to her. Going on various gambling trips with the Zimbelmans and others was always a highlight, she even won “big” one time in Cripple creek! She was always excited to go on Vegas trips as well. She really enjoyed the family vacations with her mom and sisters in the 50’s -60’s going to California, New Mexico and many trips to Boulder to see sister Marie and Allen Hasenbalg. Jeeping with them in the mountains was always a special memory for her. Ardie was able to stay in her little duplex apartment with her little dog (Peanuts) and later her kitty (KitCat) for almost 20 years at which time her failing health necessitated her move to Grace Manor in April of 2018. After most of her life living alone it took some adjustment at the nursing home, but later Ardie really enjoyed most of the activities, games, and gardening there. She could often be found telling the nurses and staff “how to best do their jobs” being a former nurse and all! Still being of sharp mind she was able to be very “opinionated” almost to the end of her stay there. After further health complications Ardie passed away peacefully at 93 years old at Grace Manor Care Center. She was predeceased by her father Melvin (Mike) Gulden, mother Edna (Biesecker-Perry) Gulden, brother Earl Perry, wife Arlene Perry, sister Marie Hasenbalg, husband Allen Hasenbalg; sister Helen Schaal, husband Leo Schaal; sister Doris Travis, husband Sam Travis; nieces Donna Kay Hasenbalg and Travis twin girls and Jana Dee Travis; nephew James (Jim) Perry; great nephew Travis Schulte; & great-great niece Caitlyn Rose Those left to cherish their memories of “Aunt Ardie” are her nieces and nephews: Sharon (Arlyn) Clemans; Melody Tapia; John (Nellie) Perry; Galen Travis; Dena Travis Daniel; Tracy (TC) Travis; Kent Travis, Great nieces and nephews: Sharlyn (Bryan) Rose; Starla Koster; Sundee (KD) Gilbert; Troy Schulte, Jessica Tapia; Conet, Skye & Trinity Perry; Kory (Heather) Daniel; Garrett (CJ) Travis; Ryan Travis; Angela (Brody) Sikes; Brandon Gustafson, Great-great nieces and nephews: Joshua Rose and Madison Rose;Mackenzie (Shain) Rieman; Michaela Koster; Tai’Mora & Kalin Gilbert; Alexis & Aubrie Schulte; Logan & Gabriel Schulte; Clara & Grace Schulte; Isaac Daniel; Taylor and Hunter Sikes; Great-great-great nieces and nephews: Hope Rose & Liberty Rose; Marley, Tatum & Landyn Rieman; William Schulte; Weston Schulte.