Ardath “Ardie” Henze

A rdath “Ardie” Alice (Pierson) Henze went to be with our Lord 12-12-12. Ardie was born Nov. 28, 1921, to Roy and Katherine (Miller) Pierson in Hillsdale Township, Eddy County, N.D. She received her education in the Warwick School system, graduating in 1938, where she was active in sports, especially basketball. Church was an important part of the Pierson family and Ardie played piano and organ and sang with the choir as a member of the Warwick Lutheran Church.

In the fall of 1939, Ardie went to be with her grandmother and sister in Ontario, Calif. There she attended and graduated from Chaffey Junior College in 1941.

While in Ontario she was working for JJNewberry Co. when she met her future husband PFC Carl Henze.

Ardie and her sister moved to Bingen, Wash., in 1943 where she began her banking career at Security State Bank in White Salmon. Ardie and Carl were married in December 1945. In 1947, they moved with her parents and brother to Waitsburg where they operated a dry-cleaning business for 25 years and raised their seven children. In 1961, she went to work for the National Bank of Commerce. Her 24 years of service withstood several name changes and six bank managers. Being a member of the Christian Church kept her busy with playing the piano and organ for Sunday ser- vices, funerals and weddings. She also sang with the choir and held several church offices. Since Ardie was not a “joiner”, her only other affiliation was with the American Legion Auxiliary.

Family came first with Ardie, but she enjoyed doing puzzles, embroidery, latch hook, crochet and reading.

Grandchildren filled many special hours.

Ardie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Carl, and their son Brian. She is survived by her children and their spouses: Neta and David McKenzie; Lorna and David Zajac; Lana and Gus Salloum; Dan and Diane Henze; Carrie and John Higgins; Neil and Linda Henze; 13 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren; a brother, Stan (Rita) Pierson; a sister, Carol Olson; many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to share their gratitude with the Walla Walla Hospice staff. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Waitsburg Fireman’s Association Scholarship Fund or to Walla Walla Hospice.

A family graveside service was held at 1 p.m. Monday at the Waitsburg Cemetery followed by a celebration of her life at 3 p.m. at the First Christian Church in Waits- burg.