Richard Ard

Richard Leon Ard, age 75, of Elsmore, Kansas passed away on January 7, 2020, with family at his bedside at Arrowood Lane Humboldt, Kansas. During the final hours of his life, Richard’s family sat next to him, holding his hand, talking about old memories, and sharing stories of how he had touched their lives. They also shared scripture readings and lots of prayers for peace and comfort. The family sang some of Richard’s favorite songs - a country song, “Put Your Lips A Little Closer”, “Jesus Loves Me”, “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”, “The Old Rugged Cross”, and “In The Garden”.

Richard was born March 11, 1944, in Iola, Kansas. He was the first of seven children born to James Mervin and Beverley Norene (Johnson) Ard. His parents saved and paid in dimes in order to bring him home from the hospital. They even had dimes left over. Richard was baptized and attended Elsmore Methodist Church as a youngster. He grew up on the family farm with two brothers and four sisters. Richard attended a one room country schoolhouse, The Old Elsmore School, until 1958. HE graduated from Elsmore High School with the class of 1962. He then attended Iola Junior College and graduated there in 1964. He then went on to earn his teaching degree from Emporia State in 1967. Richard taught school a few years before learning he could make more money working summer months than a school year. So off he went to follow his true passion as a construction worker, which he had learned from his dad. He worked as a supervisor on many jobs while working for Dondlinger Construction, Foy Construction, and LaForge Construction. One of Richard’s memorable projects was working on the EPIC Center, the tallest building in the state. Even after retiring, he continued helping the surrounding communities with their house projects and lending a hand wherever it was needed. Richard was a kind, humble man, who will be remembered as a simple man that lived a simple life. His hospitable nature and smile will be missed by all that knew him.

On August 20, 1966, he married Shirley May Withers. Two sons were born to their union, Paul and Jeff Ard. Richard and Shirley spent their lives together living in Kansas and Colorado. Richard was a proud member of the Virginia Lodge 315. He was active in all of the community projects, big or small, in the Ruritan Club. He never stayed idle. He was always busy with his hands, gardening, fishing, working with his goats, or fencing. Richard was also big in salvaging metal. In his latter years Richard started drinking coffee every day at Elsmore and Savonburg, often times learning of someone who needed help with a project. In his free time he could be found watching western movies. Richard especially enjoyed his three trips to Indonesia with his daughter-in-law, Lia and his grandchildren. He was always full of tales about their adventures, not only in Indonesia, but in everyday life.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Shirley; sister, Betty Baker; brother, Larry; nephew, Mark Ard; and a niece, Lisa Ard.

Richard is survived by two sons, Paul Ard and wife, Lia and Jeff Ard; two grandchildren, Paulia Cinta and Michael Ard; brother, Robert Ard; three sisters, Ruth Endicott and husband, Oscar, Linda Larson, and Brenda Mills and husband, David, sister-in-law, Pat Ard; two aunts Joyce Mapp and Flo Ann Johnson, and numerous nieces and nephews along with great nieces and nephews.

Memorial services for Richard will be held at 2:00 PM, Thursday, January 16, 2020 in The Venue at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, Iola, Kansas. The family will greet friends following the service. Memorial contributions may be made to ACARF or to the Richard Ard Memorial Fund, for his grandchildren’s education. Condolences may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com .