Ardis Christine (Nicholson) Harkes

HARKES, Ardis Christine (nee Nicholson)

April 2, 1926 – February 18, 2022

Passed away peacefully with her three boys by her side, at Kensington Village, in her 96th year. Ardis was predeceased by her husband Frank George Harkes (1993). She will be greatly missed by her sons Kenneth (Rosemarie), Douglas (Cathy) and Ronald. Fondly remembered by her grandchildren David, Emily and Bradley, several nieces and nephews and good friend Ellen. Predeceased by parents Clara (nee Needham) and Hugh Nicholson, sister Merle (Bob) Hickmott, brother Harold (Phyllis) Nicholson and brother Harvey Nicholson. Survived by sister-in-law Elizabeth Nicholson. Ardis was born on a farm, near Bervie, in Kincardine Township. In her late teens she and her sister Merle worked in Kincardine making nylon stockings. During the war they made airplane wings at the Malcolm Furniture Factory. After 1945 she and Merle moved to London, (ON) and worked at an assortment of factory jobs making cookies, radios, pressing vinyl records and welding refrigerator shelves. For entertainment they went to the dances at Wonderland Gardens, where she met her future husband, George. They were married in 1959 and raised three sons on the Harkes Family Farm near Thamesford. Ardis had a marvellous sense of humour and continued telling entertaining stories until the very end. The boys would like to extend a special “Thank you” to the wonderful staff at Kensington Village, for their loving care. A private family service will be held at Brock and Visser Funeral Home (519-285-2427) 177 Dundas St, Thamesford Ontario N0M 2M0, with a burial at Zion Hill 7th Line Cemetery at a later date. If desired, memorial contributions to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Alzheimer’s Society, or a charity of one’s choice and may be arranged and viewed online at www.brockandvisser.com