Ardell L. Strait, 84, of Castlewood, passed away Sunday, April 18, 2021 at The Estelline Nursing and Care Center. Funeral Services will be 10:00 am Thursday, April 22, 2021 at American Lutheran Church. Visitation will be from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm Wednesday at the Church. Geise Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Ardell LaVonne Strait was born April 25, 1936 in rural Hayti, South Dakota to Axel and Alice (Hanson) Carlson.  She grew up on the farm until she was 12 when they moved to Hayti.  She attended school in Hayti graduating in 1954 and earned a degree in elementary education from General Beadle College and Northern College.  Ardell married Richard "Dick" Strait on June 14, 1959.  They made their home in Castlewood, South Dakota. Ardell taught school at Arlington, Watertown and Castlewood.  After her teaching career, she stayed home to raise a family and run the family owned insurance business.

Among the many things Ardell enjoyed were her family, vacations, square dancing, entertaining and cooking, playing with the grandchildren, spending summer weekends at the Lake Poinsett, and her church and community involvement.  Her faith in God was deep and reflected in her everyday life.

Ardell was an active member of the American Lutheran Church, American Legion Auxiliary, Castlewood Historical Society, Castlewood Arts Council and a supporter and volunteer of the Castlewood School and community activities.

From her beautifully written notes and cards to her children and grandchildren and staying active in their lives, to organizing family gatherings and the meticulous recording of family history, she was the glue that held everyone together.  Her love for all of them was genuine and appreciated.  In addition to her strong family values, she will be remembered for her kind heart, witty humor, deep patriotism, unwavering faith, and her intellectual ability to remember numbers and information.

During her last few years, she showed her family and friends a quiet dignity as she wrestled with health issues.  Ardell passed away on Sunday, April 18, 2021 at the Estelline Nursing and Care Center at the age of 84 years.  Grateful for having shared her life is her husband Richard; three sons, David (LuAnn) Strait, of Watertown, SD, Dennis (Vicki) Strait and Doug Strait of Castlewood, SD; six grandchildren, Sydney, Spencer, Sawyer, Lindsey, Haley and Abbey; brother-in-law Bob (Pauline) Strait and host of nieces and nephews.

Ardell was preceded in death by her infant son Dean; parents, Axel and Alice Carlson, and her brother Clayton Carlson and sister-in-law Virginia Carlson.