Memorial services for Ardis Ryerson Brown, 85, of Jefferson, will be 10:30am Friday, July 3, 2009 at First Presbyterian Church, Jefferson, with interment in the Jefferson Cemetery.

Mary Ardis Ferguson was born October 30, 1923 in Grand Junction, Iowa, the daughter of W. D. “Spike” Ferguson and Irma Fisher Ferguson. Ardis graduated from Jefferson High School in 1941, then graduated from Drake University in 1945.

On September 18, 1944 Ardis married (Edwin) Howard Ryerson in Des Moines. They became the parents of 4 children: Steve, Ann, Bill and Alan. Ardis was a devoted mother and homemaker. Additionally, from 1971 – 1979 she was the office manager for her husband’s clothing store, Ryerson’s Ready to Wear, which operated in Jefferson from 1950 – 1979.

Ardis was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Jefferson. She was a member of P.E.O., Beta Tau Delta, and Evening Star Chapter #107 O.E.S. She also served on the Jefferson Public Library Board, the Greene County Medical Center Auxiliary, and she belonged to several Bridge clubs.

On February 14, 1992, Ardis was married to Bill Brown. Ardis and Bill spent the winter months in Arizona. They enjoyed several cruises, and traveling to many parts of the world.

Ardis died June 30, 2009 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN. She was 85 years of age. Preceding her in death were her father; her husband Howard who died April 14, 1987, her husband Bill who died August 6, 2000, a sister, Leola Black, and a great-granddaughter, Peyton Stevens.

Surviving are her children: Steve Ryerson and his wife Linda of Sandy, Utah, Ann Carlson and her husband David of Manly, IA; Bill Ryerson of Jefferson, IA; and Alan Ryerson and his wife Annette of Des Moines, IA; mother, Irma Ferguson of Jefferson, IA; sister Carla Greiner and husband Bill of Ankeny, IA; eight grand children; seven great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

Memorials are suggested to the Jefferson Public Library, or the Jefferson-Scranton School District Foundation.