Ardis Hanson

Strong-willed, determined, and an absolute force of nature, Ardis Laverne Hanson set off on her next great adventure, joining her husband, Oscar, siblings (Curt, Gloria, Burt, and Sid), and many loved ones in Heaven, on Saturday, September 20, 2025.

Born in Harlowton, Montana, October 26, 1930, the oldest of six to Melvin and Beatrice “Beats” Bartz, Ardis grew up on the family ranch in Barber. She attended a one-room country school, rode horses to class (and sometimes raced them home—mum’s the word), and helped raise Shorthorn cattle and sheep. She churned butter on the front porch and made homemade ice cream—thanks to the ranch ice house, her family had the summertime treat all the cousins envied.

At 16, Ardis graduated high school and headed to Billings for college, living and working for Dr. Gordon for room and board. About a year later she met the love of her life, Oscar Hanson. They married on November 16, 1947—just three weeks after her 17th birthday—and began building a life as sturdy as the homes they literally constructed together. On 24th Street, Oscar would come home from Exxon and Ardis would have the lumber stacked and ready; every spare minute went into making that first house a home. But, there was also time for lots of dancing and dinner parties.

They welcomed sons Rod (1951) and Butch (1954) and taught them the value of hard work—with a healthy side of engine grease from motorcycle and car projects. When the boys were in grade school, the family sold their home on 24th Street and traded Billings city life for 40 acres along Highway 312 toward Shepherd. Shorthorns were in Ardis’s blood, so a new herd soon followed. The menu of life included farming, cows, 4-H, old cars, the Roaring Twenties Car Club, and—naturally—building another house. The big white house on the corner would also be home to the beloved Santa Claus and Reindeer that anointed the yard and received many annual visitors every year since the first piece was built in 1958.

As Oscar climbed the ladder at Exxon, the adventure expanded all the way to Norway, where the family spent time while he helped start up a new facility. Back home, Ardis discovered her professional calling with numbers. She began at H&R Block, took additional college courses, and joined Bob Murray at Joseph Eve, quickly earning a reputation as the expert on farm taxes.

Community was Ardis’s playground. She was active with the Exxon women, Woolgrowers, and the Montana Beef Council—always pitching in, always organizing, always making things better, always an occasion to host a party, and have a little fun.

Her greatest joy was her family. Ardis is survived by her baby sister, Eileen “Een”; both her sons, Rod & Butch; daughter-in-law, Sonya, who was along for all the adventures; and her three granddaughters, Marci, Sheri & Cristy, who she delighted in taking dress shopping and teaching to sew, knit, garden, cook, and set an immaculate table. Pumpkin-carving parties, putting up

Santa and the Reindeer, and lefse-making days were standing dates. She is also survived by her grandsons-in-law, Jason and Kevin; and six great-grandchildren, Tian, Lelah, Sawyer, Astrid, Allyn and Cody; and three step-great-grandchildren, Hailey, Caden, and Erika, all of who she dutifully purchased a Christmas ornament for every year. And many cousins and friends she kept close to, usually with a phone call.

Every Christmas, the family will keep her memory shining bright by setting up the wooden Santa and Reindeer she and Papa built—handmade magic full of precious memories that still lights up the season.

Services will be held Sunday, October 5 at 1:00 p.m. in Lillis Chapel (by the lower parking lot at St. John’s near the cottages). A reception with snacks will follow immediately after. All who loved Ardis—and there are many—are welcome to come share stories, smiles, and a few good laughs in her honor.