Obituary: Ardith "Ardie" Crawford

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In memory of

Ardith "Ardie" Crawford

of Wasta, South Dakota, died on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at her home in Wasta after complications related to Alzheimer's at the age of 81

Ardith Ann Crawford, 81, died peacefully, holding her husband’s hand, from complications related to Alzheimer’s on February 3, 2021, at her Wasta home.

Ardie was born February 7, 1939, in Huron, the oldest of seven, to Frank Hindman, a highway worker and natural horseman, and Elva (Moler) Hindman, a donut expert at Wall Drug. Ardie started school in Cedar Butte and in third grade she began school in Wall where she met a boy named Joe. Calling this mere coincidence is what we say when we can't see God pulling the levers. When Joe saw Ardie riding her horse Bud, he knew, right then, he would marry this girl. (And when did Ardie know? “When he asked me,” she once said.)

After Ardie earned a teaching degree from SDSU and Joe’s honorable discharge from the Air Force, she said yes. They were married in March 1961, two months shy of 60 years ago. They had four children, 1962 to 1968. Through the decades, they owned a dozen bars around Rapid City, including the first Clock Tower Lounge, JR’s Bar & Grill, Lucky Lady and T-birds, Valley Sports Bar, and Smokin’ Joe’s #12. A rarity among bar owners was Ardie’s “No Foul Language” rule. When a freshly corrected customer asked, “What kind of bar is this? Can’t cuss, can’t smoke cigars, can’t drink too much?” Ardie said: “It’s my bar.”

Ardie Crawford had the best smile. She was a loving wife, mom, grandma, sister, horse and cat lover, avid reader (she’d tell you about people in her book like they were people in her life), designer of a house, bookkeeper, cancer beater, jeweler, cosmetologist & beauty salon owner, annual Las Vegas goer, serial Halloween dresser-upper, the smartest, shrewdest businesswoman in the Upper Midwest (per a Trial Lawyer of the Year after her deposition), Kentucky Derby fan, Miller Lite sipper, and life-long Methodist Church member. The glue that kept it all together. . . was Ardie.

Ardie is survived by Joe; son Luke; daughters Katy (Dean) Jameson and Angie (Bob) Porter; grandchildren: Chelsea, Emilee, Michael, LaRee, Cooper, Charlie, and Ryan; brothers Mark (Laurie), Troy (Ella), and Clifford (Mandy); sister Terry; and dearly loved nephew Tony.

She was preceded in death by son Mitchell; her parents; and brothers Jake and John.

Ardie loved her caretakers, Pam Tines and Donna Johnson, calling them, "better than peanut butter." According to Joe, “Ardie’s three great loves were her horse ‘Bud’ as a child, horse ‘Boo’ as an adult, and husband ‘Joe’ for 59 years.” A snippet of this great love was memorialized in late 2018 by joyful footage of Joe and Ardie two-stepping in a friend’s kitchen to Ray Price. It was captioned: “This is push the kitchen table back and dance kind of love!” Indeed, indeed. As Joe says, “I’ve been in love with her since fourth grade.”

In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation will be made toward the maintenance of the Wall Cemetery. Cards and memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 85, Wasta, SD 57791.

A memorial visitation will be held from 3-5 p.m. on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Wall. Interment will be held at the Wall Cemetery.

Open the Memorial Folder

MEMORIAL VISITATION
Tuesday, February 9, 2021 - 3-5 p.m.
Rush Funeral Chapel
Wall, South Dakota

INTERMENT
Wall Cemetery
Wall, South Dakota

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We are sorry to hear about Ardie. We had so much fun over the years at many of your bars. Ardie always made us feel welcome like family. We send our sincere condolences and prayers for you all. Treasure the memories as I know we will. ~ Tom and Kamie Carmichael 301 E. 5th St. Oakland, NE (2/10/2021)
~ Don Goodsell Lakewood, Colorado (2/9/2021)
If you hadn't seen Ardie in awhile, she'd find a moment to walk over to your table, scooch a chair up close, and say something like, "So tell me all that you've been doing since the last time I saw you." She also was skilled in the deployment of her delightful (for the most part) sarcasm. I remember a time she combined both traits. Back in the '90s, apparently feeling particularly swole, I'd been flexing my bicep for the benefit of my indifferent compadres at the table. Ardie later walked over, scooched up, and asked about my life. I forget the details of my response except that it ended with my complaint that I thought someone had stolen the hubcap off my 1996 Geo Metro, a subcompact car with a 3-cylinder engine. (She would've known that I once raced another Geo Metro going up the steep hill to Belle Fourche. Our top speed in the 50s, I came in second, the winner having decelerated the least.) Ardie smiled that smile and said, "Oh? They must've put it in their pocket." ~ Mike Hanson Sioux Falls (2/8/2021)
I had the pleasure of working with Ardie when she was a substitute teacher at Dakota Middle School. Kids loved her, staff respected her. Rest in peace Ardie. Prayers for her family and friends. ~ Deborah Goodart Rapid City (2/6/2021)
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Joe and his family. What a wonderful Love Story of Joe and Ardie. ~ Denny & Susan Walsh Miami FL. (2/6/2021)
Joe and Family, I am so sorry to hear of Ardie's passing. She was definitely a unique and special lady. The great times we had at JR's will always be among my best memories of my years in Rapid City. ~ Craig Hostetler Washington, DC (2/6/2021)
sorry for your loss ~ Cleve W Prichard Kadoka (2/6/2021)
One of a kind ~ Dan Sorbel RC (2/6/2021)
Joe and family, we wish to extend our deepest sympathies. Sheryl Huether Sether and Shawn Sether ~ Sheryl Huether Sether Hot Springs, SD (2/6/2021)
Joe, I am thinking of you and hoping you will have peace knowing she is with you forever in your heart! ~ Rhonda Sheehan Little Rock, AR (2/6/2021)
So sad to hear about the passing of another one of my very special family member (aunt and uncles during the period). My sincere condolences to all of her family, my cousins and to my Uncle Joe. ~ Barbara Crawford Paris - France (2/5/2021)
Joe, I was saddend to hear of Ardies passing, what a great woman . I will never forget the JR'S days and there is no doubt that Ardie made the best potatoe salad in the country. Take care and I will try to look you up the next time Jan & I are in Rapid City. ~ Keith Catron Missoula, MT (2/5/2021)
So sorry for your loss. Ardie was one of my favorite teachers. She taught at the Huron School. What a special teacher and person. She has touched many hearts. She will be greatly missed. ~ Eileen Helms Niederwerder Rapid City, SD (2/5/2021)
Mrs. Crawford was my kindergarten teacher at Hidden Valley grade school. Awesome lady and great families. Sorry to all of you for the loss of her. ~ Bruce Kjerstad SHERIDAN (2/5/2021)
In 1948, when Dad and Mom bought the Gamble Store in Wall, they also bought a house across from the Lutheran Church, just a half block South of the Hindman house. I was four years old, and Ardie, Jake and John were among my earliest friends and playmates. Joe and Ardie were classmates five years older than me, and for as long as I have known them they went together like peas and carrots. A love story like theirs will be long remembered. Prayers for Joe and all the family. ~ Douglas Lee Estes 14136 Hacker Loop (2/5/2021)
I was so sorry to hear about Ardie. My thoughts and prayers go out to Uncle Joe and cousins Katie, Angie, Luke and their families. ~ Julie Movizzo Franktown, CO (2/4/2021)
Sending hugs and sympathy to Joe and family. Artie was just a doll, kind, honest, smart and hardworking. The angels are dancing to have Ardie with them. ~ Glenda Halter Rapid City (2/4/2021)
My thought go out to the Crawford family. I worked for them in a few of the businesses they owned over the years. I found my self thinking about them a few days ago wondering where they were. May her family remember all the great memories that she left them with! ~ Tina Bradley Rapid City (2/4/2021)
What a sweetheart! Ardie was always a good visit. I have lots of fond memories of her. She loved her family deeply. Hold the warm memories close to your heart. ~ Stacy Radway Dole Pierre SD (2/4/2021)
My condolences to the Crawford Family. Ardie was a very special lady, and she made the best potato salad in the whole wide world. Rest In Peace Ardie, a great lady!
~ Charlie Houdek Stanley Sun City,Az (2/4/2021)