Ardella Pauline (Freund) Dahle, 96

Published 9:25 am Friday, June 27, 2025

Ardella Pauline (Freund) Dahle, 96

Ardella Pauline (Freund) Dahle, age 96, passed away peacefully on June 24, 2025, at Sacred Heart Care Center in Austin, Minnesota. A woman of grace, determination, and deep faith, Ardella lived a long and joyful life that touched many.

Born on October 24, 1928, in Johnsburg, Minnesota, Ardella was the daughter of Isidore John Freund and Catherine (Klapperich) Freund. She graduated from Adams High School in Adams, Minnesota, in 1946. After graduation, Ardella began her career working for the Hormel Estate in Austin, Minnesota. Her work with the Hormel family eventually brought her to the West Coast, where she continued working for them before branching out on her own.

While in California, Ardella met her soulmate, Howard Dahle, during an outing to the Lawrence Welk Show—where she was a member of the dancing audience. They were married on August 6, 1960, in Los Angeles, California, and together made their home in several communities before settling in Placerville, CA.

Ardella had a long and respected career in banking, retiring in 1985 as the Assistant Manager of Security Pacific National Bank. Outside of her career, she was an accomplished quilter, earning recognition at the El Dorado and Mower County Fairs. Ardella had a deep interest in genealogy, especially in tracing the Freund family history. She loved music—playing the piano and organ, singing in the choir at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Placerville, and always enjoying a good tune to dance to.

Ardella and Howard were known for warmly welcoming friends and their Midwestern family during visits to California. They enjoyed wine tasting, scenic tours, and sharing a cold beer before dinner. Ardella’s stylish flair and worldly experiences earned her the admiration of her 48 nieces and nephews when she visited from California.

In 2021, Ardella returned to Minnesota and became a resident at Sacred Heart Care Center in Austin. Her final years were filled with grace, faith, and fond memories. She will be remembered for her vibrant personality, her love of family, her strong faith, and her joy in life’s simple pleasures.

Ardella is survived by her brother and sisters: John (Jeanne) Freund of Caledonia, MN; Mary Orth of Backus, MN; Bertilla Noble and Angela Smith, both of Cedar Rapids; sisters-in-law Phyllis Freund and Ruth Freund, both of Austin, MN; and 43 beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Howard in 2005; twin sisters Lucina and Lucille Blaser; sister Virginia Elliott; brothers Delphin and Raphael Freund; and nephews Allan Blaser, Gary Blaser, Stephen Freund, David Smith, and Russell Blaser.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Johnsburg, Minnesota. Visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. prior to the mass at the church, with a rosary at 10:00 a.m.  Interment will be in St. John’s Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to St. John’s Catholic Church in Johnsburg, Minnesota.

Arrangements by the Adams Funeral Home.