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Obituary

Ardell H. “Dell” Kolkman (nee Jones), age 88, a resident of Sugar Grove, IL since 2017, formerly of Kankakee, IL, Naperville, IL and Burlington, IA, passed away on April 12, 2022, at Prairie Point Assisted Living, Sugar Grove, IL. She was born on December 22, 1933, in Aurora, IL, to the late Marshall and Maybelle (Thompson) Jones.

Ardell was a loving wife to the late William “Al” Kolkman, caring mother to Cheryl (Mark) Hudgens of Bourbonnais, IL, David L. (Debbie) Ingalls of Stanley, NC, Mark (Kim) Kolkman of Naperville, IL, and John (Sarah) Kolkman of Sugar Grove, IL, adored grandmother of Sean (Christine) and Brittan Hudgens; David M. Ingalls and Sarah (Logan) Church; Andrew and Trevor Kolkman; William and Patricia Kolkman, devoted sister, sister-in-law, cousin, aunt, great-aunt, friend, and fellow disciple with many.

Ardell was the second oldest of eight children and grew up in Kankakee, IL. She graduated Kankakee High School, Class of 1951 and immediately entered the workforce as bookkeeper, office assistant and secretary. She attended Olivet Nazarene University from 1955 to 1956. Ardell continued in a variety of secretarial roles in Illinois and California until 1969. Shortly after returning to Illinois, she married and devoted her loving attention to raising her family full-time. In 1980, after more than a decade away, Ardell returned to the workforce serving as an executive secretary at North Central College and later retired from AT&T – Lucent Technologies after 17 years as an executive assistant. Ardell loved flowers and in retirement she grew lavish perennial gardens. In her personal time Ardell was a creative artist, avid reader, and humble servant-leader. She served in a variety of ministries at her local church including Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School leader, pianist, soloist, and member of the choir where she sang alto. Ardell loved to crochet and gifted every expectant mother she knew with a hand-made baby outfit complete with a vest, bonnet, booties and bibb. When not clothing infants, Ardell found great joy in creating original outfits for concrete yard geese. To meet the need of a burgeoning niche market, she founded Dell’s Goose Gallery and sold concrete geese with made-to-order goose clothing locally and in retail stores in a multi-state area. As an artist Ardell was most talented as a painter and calligrapher. Ardell hand-lettered countless diplomas, wedding invitations, graduation invites, church bulletins, greeting cards, and personal notes. One of her most impactful outreach ministries combined her artistic talent with the gift of kindness by creating original birthday and greeting cards. In recent years, while living in various multi-unit senior living centers, Ardell gave an original birthday card each year to every resident of the community. She went to great ends to love her neighbors.

Ardell was a member of Trinity Church of the Nazarene in Naperville, IL since 1969. She used every one of her skills and talents for the glory of God and for the sake of others. She faithfully served as a lay leader, sang in the choir, and served several terms as church board secretary. Over the years Ardell served in a variety of ministries including Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School leader, pianist, soloist, and member of the choir where she sang alto. Ardell and her husband Al seldom missed an opportunity to invite newcomers home after church for Sunday dinner. Together they found a deep sense of meaning in their love of others and shared passion for hospitality.

Ardell will be remembered for her physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual strength. She met the gift of each new day with the mantra, “Put Jesus first, others second, and yourself last.” Ardell lived her life in service to Jesus Christ and never lost faith in faith.

Ardell was preceded in death by her loving husband of more than 50 years, Al Kolkman, siblings Thomas Jones, Phyllis Steinman (Jones), David Jones, Daniel Jones, and brother-in-law Julian Fugere. She is survived by her children and grandchildren, siblings Carol Fugere (Jones), of Des Moines, IA, Myron Jones, of Bradley, IL, and Paul Jones, of Dwight, IL.