Ardis Register, age 86, died Sunday, Nov. 30, 2003, with her family present at the Jones-Harrison Residence in Minneapolis.

She was born April 21, 1917 in Alden to immigrants Francis and Alma Petersen; she grew up in the fold of the Danish community. She graduated from Alden High School on May 31, 1934, and was married June 16 to Gordon Register. They made Albert Lea their home from 1937 until 1996, when they moved to Minneapolis to be near their children. They were members of First Lutheran Church. Ardis worked in retail at Wallace’s, Swen’s Danish Bakery, and Kennelly Fur and Fabric, where she used her fine sense of color and texture to help customers match fabric and patterns. An exacting seamstress, she sewed nearly everything her children wore.

Ardy lived a quiet life with home and family at center. She found beauty in ordinary things and delighted in children. Kind and gentle and fair, she cheered her family’s accomplishments, but always stood outside the picture. Even after Alzheimer’s silenced her lovely soprano voice, music made her smile.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, JoAnn Squires; an infant sister; sister, Edythe Blood; brother, Clifford Petersen; and sister-in-law, Anna Petersen.

She is sorely missed by her devoted husband of 69 years, Gordon Register, of Jones-Harrison Residence, 3700 Cedar Lake Ave., Minneapolis 55416; two daughters: Nancy Register Wangen (Roger), and Cheri Register; son-in-law, Rodger Squires; seven grandchildren: Jeff (Cheryl) Squires, Jay (Toni) Squires, Lisa (Mike) Lee, Chris (Tom) Plunkett Wangen, Kerry Wangen, Grace De Jong of Seoul, Korea, and Maria De Jong; and 10 great-grandchildren. She leaves brothers: Leslie Petersen of Crosby, and Kenneth (Donna) Petersen of Albert Lea; sisters-in-law: Carol Petersen, Vivian Cadwell, and Mary Jean Pagenkopf of Albert Lea; and many nieces and nephews.

The family thanks those who cared lovingly for Ardy at JHR, AlterCare, Mt. Olivet, and Walker. We rejoice that her spirit is free from its long captivity in her frail body.

A memorial service will be 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at Jones-Harrison Chapel, 3700 Cedar Lake Ave. (south shore of Cedar Lake), Minneapolis. Private interment at Graceland Cemetery, Albert Lea.

Memorials are preferred to UNICEF or Alzheimer’s Association.

Cremation Society of Minnesota, Edina, is in charge of arrangements.