Ardeth Kreft, age 83, of Newell, Iowa and formerly of Early, Iowa died Sunday, November 19, 2006 at the Newell Good Samaritan Center.

Funeral Services for Mrs. Kreft will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 25, 2006 at Faith Lutheran Church in Early.  Pastor Chuck Bettin will officiate. Burial will be in the Buena Vista Memorial Park Cemetery in Storm Lake.  The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.

Friends may call from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, November 24, 2006 at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake, where the family will be present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Ardeth was born May 30, 1923 in rural Storm Lake, Iowa to Oscar and Rose (Petersen) Willadsen.  She was baptized into the Lutheran faith at Nain Lutheran Church in Newell and later confirmed her faith in that same church as a youth.  She graduated from high school in Sulphur Springs, Iowa.

On August 6, 1950, Ardeth was united in marriage to Eugene Kreft at St. John Lutheran Church in Storm Lake.   Ardeth was a dedicated and caring teacher to many young students for many years. She loved teaching young people and helping them learn.

A faithful member of Faith Lutheran Church in Early, Ardeth served her Lord gladly with her participation in the Mission Society and on various committees within the church. She was a voracious reader of all types of books and enjoyed listening to sports broadcasts on her radio. Ardeth was a member of the Buena Vista College Choir and loved to take a turn on the dance floor. Her gentle, caring presence will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Left to cherish her memory are her sister, Evelyn Christensen of McCallsburg, Iowa; sister-in-law Marilyn and her husband Gordon Fett of Storm Lake, Iowa; beloved nephews and nieces; extended family and many friends.

Ardeth was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Eugene; and one brother, Leo Willadsen.