Ardella Mae Ernst

ardella ernst
Ardella Mae (Gab) Ernst, loving wife, mother, grandmother, GG (great-grandmother), sister, aunt, and friend, died peacefully April 7, 2022. Ardella is survived by her husband of 63 years, Lloyd; her daughters Charlene Acuna (Rick), Krista Puri (Bobby); grandchildren, Rachel (Justin), Nathan (Marika), Rebecca, Sophia, Evelyn; great-grandchildren, Jacob, Nicholas, Katelyn, Lenah, Jacquelyn, Colin; brother, Delbert (Joyce) Gab; sisters-in-law Mary Gab, DarLou Ernst and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ardella was born to Lydia and Fred Gab January 20, 1935, on the family farm in Hillviews, South Dakota where she also spent her childhood. Her early education included eight years in a one-room schoolhouse. She graduated from Eureka high school and attended South Dakota State University and Northwest Institute of Medical Technology, where she earned a medical technology degree. She began her hospital career in Aberdeen, South Dakota, where she also met Lloyd. Ardella and Lloyd married September 6, 1958, and had two daughters, Charlene, and Krista. Lloyd’s career moved the family to various places throughout the Dakotas, Wyoming, and finally to Northern Virginia. There, Ardella became Grandma Ernie to many daycare children and furthered her career in hospital administration. Retirement years gave Ardella and Lloyd the opportunity to travel to many places in Europe, Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and South America.

Ardella was loving and compassionate to everybody she met. She was devoted to her church, where she volunteered her time to teach Sunday school, vacation bible school, make altar preparations, and participate in charitable programs.

She touched many lives, but nowhere was her love and selflessness felt and appreciated more than by her family. She was especially generous with her time when it came to caring for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as with her gift-giving that made holidays and birthdays memorable and highly anticipated events. Holidays were made even more special with her home-cooked meals which included traditional family recipes and traditions, where friends were always welcome.

Ardella is preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Viola Gab, and three brothers, Aaron, Harold, and Robert Gab.

Ardella is deeply missed by her family, but they take comfort in the fond memories she leaves behind and in knowing that she is now resting in peace.

Visitation will be held Thursday, April 21, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 Maple Ave West, Vienna, VA. A funeral service will be held Friday, April 22, 10:30am at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 2589 Chain Bridge Rd, Vienna, VA. The service will be streamed through the church's Facebook page. Interment will follow at Stonewall Memorial Gardens, Manassas, VA.

Donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Lutheran Social Services.

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  1. So sorry to hear the news… I will always remember with fondness, the time that our parents and families spent together during the early years in Bismarck and then later at the farm. Something that really stands out to me about aunt Ardella, was how she would take the time to talk and give special attention, to everyone in the group. She had a way of making people feel included and important. God Bless Lloyd and the rest of the family in this time of loss. Jason Ernst


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