Ardith "Ardy" Mardell Buroker

Ardith "Ardy" Mardell Buroker, age 81 of rural Blanchardville died on Monday, March 10, 2014 at the Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County in Darlington, with her husband and family by her side. She was born on September 22, 1932 in Richland County, Wisconsin to Harvey and Maude Belle (Poole) Jewett. She grew up near Richland Center in the Pleasant Ridge area. She attended rural schools, and then graduated from the Ithaca High School in 1950. She worked at the Lorraine Hotel in Madison where she met her future husband, Gordon LeRoy Buroker. They were married on June 8, 1970 in Scottdale, PA. They lived in Madison until 1980 when they moved to English Hollow Road near Blanchardville. For many years she worked at WPS Insurance in Madison. Ardith loved pastel drawing and oil painting. She enjoyed the social part of painting with a group of ladies that gathered regularly to paint together. Ardith worked together with Gordon for many years in their bee keeping business, Meadowbrook Apiary. She was a devoted and active member of the Waldwick Community Church. Ardith loved laughter and humor, a trait she passed on to her children. Family was very important to her and she loved spending time with her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Ardith is survived by her husband, Gordon Buroker of rural Blanchardville; her eight children, Christine (Bruce) Ellarson of Black Earth; John (Sheila) Brey of Minnetonka, MN; Michael (Deanna) Brey of Nekoosa, WI; Wallace (Kerrie) Brey of Poynette, WI; Belinda (Allen) Lukas of Madison; Ripp Buroker of New Glarus; Jacy (Ron) Lincicum of Madison; and Jonny (Laurie) Buroker of Waunakee; 16 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; one brother, Wallace (Beatrice) Jewett of Janesville; two sisters-in-law, Bernie Jewett of Iowa and Tolene Buroker of Soldiers Grove; and a brother-in-law, Cecil Buroker. She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Joni Brey who died in 1973; a sister, Shirley Marriott; and two brothers, John Marriott and Sherwood Jewett.

A visitation for Ardith will be held on Thursday, March 13, 2014 from 9:00 AM until 12:00 noon at the Waldwick Community Church in Waldwick. A funeral service will follow at 12:00 PM. Rev. David Ritchie will officiate. A funeral lunch will follow at the church, and then burial will be in Highland Memory Gardens in Cottage Grove. The Saether Funeral Home in Blanchardville is assisting the family. Online memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.saetherfuneralhome.com.

The family would like to thank the nurses, assistants and Dr. Solverson at the Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County in Darlington for their loving care.