It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ardys Jean (McCarty) Lakeberg, cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, teacher, and friend. She left us on December 17, 2024, at the age of 87, after a brief battle with cancer. She will be deeply missed but forever remembered for her profound love of family, teaching, friends, and faith.

Ardys was born to Ruth (Klatt) and Delbert McCarty on August 31, 1937, in Pine City, MN at the home of her grandparents, Etta and Edmond McCarty. Her grandmother Bertha Klatt served as nurse. From 1943-1946 she attended a nearby country school in Mora. Beginning in 1947, Ardys attended 15 different schools in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and Minnesota as her family would follow harvest season. As a
senior, she attended and graduated from Mora High School in 1955. She graduated from St. Cloud Teachers College in 1957 with an associate degree. Her first teaching job was 5th grade in North Branch while attending college in the summers to obtain a Bachelor of Education degree. During that time, the college was renamed St. Cloud State College. She then taught 4th grade in the Osseo School District.

In November 1960 she married Roger Lakeberg. They were blessed with three children: Jean, Gary, and Karen. Ardys (Mrs. Lakeberg) began a long career with the Mora School District in 1967. In the 1980's, she returned to St. Cloud State University for several summers to obtain her Master's in Education in 1988. She used to joke that she had a degree with each name the college had over her lifetime – teachers college, state
college, and state university! After complications from surgery, she had to retire in 1999, following a 35-year teaching career.

With a passion for education, she always said she never found a student she didn't love and how much she enjoyed helping them learn. Her favorite grades to teach were 4th and 5th and, she took pride in helping her students excel in math and reading, always striving to make learning engaging. Her commitment to her students' success left an enduring impression on many.

Beyond her career, Ardys was devoted to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She found joy in spending time with her family, including family meals, holidays, and celebrations. One of her favorite trips was when her children and grandchildren accompanied her to California to visit her aunt, uncle, and numerous cousins. Being an only child, she treasured her time with her many aunts, uncles, and
cousins.

Ardys held life-long friendships with three others that began in childhood; relationships that stood the test of time and continued to bring her joy. Up until her passing, they were all still meeting for monthly lunches. She also really enjoyed her class reunions, which over time, had turned into annual lunches. Additionally, she was an active member of her teacher group, meeting regularly with other retired teachers who became like family to her, always exchanging stories and supporting one another.

Her love for her neighborhood and neighbors was another defining aspect of her life. She cherished the close-knit community she was a part of. She was most grateful for two of her closest neighbors who were willing to lend a helping hand with getting her mail, taking out her garbage, or anything else whenever she was not able to. Moreover, she appreciated their friendship.

Ardys's faith was a cornerstone of her life, and she lived out her love for God as a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church. Over the years she taught Sunday school, vacation bible school, and confirmation classes. She worked with the youth group and was involved in the choir and Women of Zion. She immensely enjoyed the gatherings for bible study and socializing.

She is survived by her loving family, including daughter Jean (Paul) Mattson, son Gary (Shelly Bender) Lakeberg, daughter Karen (Todd) Rizer; grandchildren Brad, Brian, and Amanda Lakeberg, Brittney (Allen) Snegosky (Rizer), and Gabrielle (Eric) Laliberte (Rizer); and great-grandchildren Silas, Camille, Sebastian, and Anthony.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ruth and Delbert McCarty, and grandparents Etta and Edmond McCarty and Bertha and Frank Klatt.

A funeral service will be held for Ardys on Friday, December 27, 2024, at noon at Zion Lutheran Church in Mora, Minnesota with Pastor Cloose officiating. There will be a visitation one hour prior to the service and lunch following.

Memorials preferred to Zion Lutheran Preschool.