Ardis Hott, age 74, of Lakeside, Iowa, died Friday, February 17, 2006 at Methodist Manor in Storm Lake, Iowa.

Funeral Service will be held on Monday, February 20, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Storm Lake, with Reverends Mark Youngquist and Connie Spitzack officiating. Burial will be in the Newell Cemetery in Newell, Iowa. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.

Friends may call at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake on Sunday, February 19, 2006 from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m., where the family will be present from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. 

Ardis Rose Gustafson was born May 16, 1931 in Alta, Iowa to Conrad and Bessie (Malm) Gustafson.  She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Trinity Lutheran Church in Alta. Ardis attended grade school at Sulphur Springs, Iowa before graduating from Aurelia High School with the class of 1948.

On July 9, 1950, Ardis was united in marriage to LaVern Hott at Trinity Lutheran Church in Alta. They were blessed with four children: Cynthia, Corine, Loren (Bud), and John.

Ardis was a loving wife and a devoted mother who treasured her family. She kept a warm and comfortable home, welcoming all guests with generous hospitality.   Her Swedish heritage was important to Ardis, and she kept it alive by preparing delicious Swedish dishes.  Ardis was a lover of music and enjoyed singing.  In high school, she sang with a sextet that won a medal at a national music contest in Joplin, Missouri. In her younger years, Ardis shared her musical talents by singing at weddings. And as grandchildren came along, she loved to sing with them. For relaxation, Ardis liked to find a good fishing spot and wait for the fish to come to her. 

Ardis was a faithful member of St. Mark Lutheran Church in Storm Lake, where she was a member of the Ladies Circle, taught Bible School and was a substitute Sunday School teacher.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 55 years, LaVern Hott of Lakeside; children: Cynthia and husband Bruce Melohn of Newell; Corine and husband Craig Melohn of Newell; Loren (Bud) and wife LuAnn Hott of Newell; and John Hott of Richfield, Minnesota; grandchildren: Justin and wife Theresa Melohn of Washington, Iowa; Stacy and husband Jeff Stief of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Mitch Melohn of Davenport, Iowa; Melissa Melohn of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Chanda Hott of Akron, Ohio; Kelly and husband Aaron Brock of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Nathan Hott of Iowa City, Iowa; great-grandchildren: Michael and Andrew Melohn and Jordon Stief; sister Vivian and husband Earl Jorgensen of Storm Lake; extended family and many friends.

Preceding Ardis in death were her parents; infant sister Helen; brothers Edwin, Ernest, Harold, Arthur, Leonard and Roland; and sister Opal.