Ardith "Ardie" Anne Zarling

Ardith “Ardie” Anne Zarling (nee Frankovic), age 90 years, of West Bend was called home to be with the Lord on May 26, 2025, at Cedar Lake Health and Rehab in West Bend surrounded by her loving family.

Ardie was born on October 27, 1934, in Milwaukee to William and Florence Frankovic (nee Shie). She was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart Ronald “Ron” Earl Zarling on June 23, 1954, at Kingsley Methodist Church in Milwaukee. The couple moved to Heidelberg, Germany for almost two years while Ron was serving in the United States Army.

Ardie graduated from West Division High School in Milwaukee in 1952. She belonged to Job’s Daughters as a young girl and an Eastern Star Member as an adult.

Ardie chaperoned and had lots of fun during many of her childrens’ travels with Milwaukee Conntinental Youth Bands, spanning 25 years. Later she was part of the Red Hat Society, she was active at the Fond du Lac Senior Center, and a Ticket Chairman for the Walleyes for Tomorrow.

While raising their children, Ardie was a homemaker. She donated a lot of time at church doing crafts. She also excelled at sewing, bowling, Wii bowling, ice skating, and enjoyed dancing with the Silver Buckles Square Dance Association in South Milwaukee with her husband, Ron. Ardie loved camping and the outdoors, especially their home on Lake Winnebago.

She was a fantastic wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and cook. Her family heritage was important to her, and she enjoyed researching genealogy. Ardie traced her roots back to the 1630s. Once her children were grown, she worked as a medical receptionist for many years.

Those Ardie leaves behind to cherish her memory include her husband of almost 71 years, Ronald “Ron” Zarling; three daughters, Judith “Judy” (John) Ish; Gail (Timothy “Tim”) Perrin; and Rhonda (the late William “Bill”) DeFord; five grandchildren, Andrew Ish, Brian (Katie) Ish, Lisa (Steven) Borowski, Amanda Moore, and Kyle (Nicole) Perrin; ten great-grandchildren, Nolan Ish, Lydia Ish, Jaxon Borowski, George Moore, Roslyn Moore, Charles “Charlie” Moore, Selene Moore, Wyatt Perrin, Ruth Perrin, and Elliot Perrin. She is further survived by sister-in-law, Flo Frankovic, as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents, Ardie was preceded in death by her brother, William “Bill” Frankovic; brother-in-law, Eugene “Gene” (Sandra “Sandy”) Zarling; and in-laws, Earl (Lydia) Zarling.

Ardie’s Celebration of Life will be on Sunday, June 22, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the Cedar Lodge (Learning Center Drive on the Campus of Cedar Community off of County Rd Z in West Bend). A prayer service in remembrance of Ardie will take place at 12:00 Noon, with a light lunch to follow.

Inurnment will be at Wisconsin Memorial Park in Brookfield at a later date.

Memorials in Ardie’s name can be directed to Cedar Community - Partners In Caring Campaign (113 Cedar Ridge Dr. – West Bend, WI 53095).

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at Cedar Community and Common Heart Hospice for their care and compassion.

Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Ardie’s arrangements. For additional information or to leave an online condolence on the tribute wall, please visit www.myrhum-patten.com.