Ardella was born January 28, 1924 in Grantsburg, Wisconsin, she was the second of four children to Harry and Minnie Johnson. In the 1930s she moved to Fulton, New York with her family, which is where she met her first husband Arthur Guernsey. They married January 30, 1942 and had five children. Arthur died in 1964.
Ardella moved to Kansas City, Kansas in 1960, reuniting with her sister Drusilla who made the move a few years earlier. She met Jerry Xarhis and they married in 1969.
Ardella retired in 1981 following Jerry’s passing, allowing her to devote more time to her family -- and for the next 42 years gave it her all. Her door was always open, her spare bedroom was available to those who were just passing through, or those who needed an extended stay to get back on their feet. And when the time came to leave, you wouldn’t do so empty handed. Ardella always had a loaf of banana nut bread, bag of her famous oyster crackers, and if it was around Christmas time, perhaps even a tin full of homemade fudge to offer as parting gifts.
She was quick to assist, last to complain, and always happy to give anyone anything she had if she thought it would help, or just make someone happy. Hard working, honest, and always doing what was right - Ardella personified what it was to be a member of the ‘Greatest Generation.’
Ardella was proud of the fact that she never smoked or drank, which she reminded people of often.
Ardella suffered a stroke in 2008, which instantly put a limit on her physical abilities. Unable to drive, dust or decorate, Ardella quickly found other ways to make those around her smile by handing out her handmade jewelry, or sweet treats earned by a recent bingo win.
Ardella is preceded in death by siblings Drusilla Feeback, Loren Johnson and Wayne Johnson, husband Jerry, children Rebecca Middleton, Arthur Guernsey (Jr.), and Deborah Guernsey, who died as an infant. She is survived by her sister-in-law Viola Johnson, of New York, daughter Nancy Brown of Easton, son Dennis (Linda) Guernsey of McLouth, stepson Michael (DeeDee) Xarhis, of Nevada, and dozens of grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
A visitation for Ardella will be held Tuesday, September 20, 2022 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Chapel Hill - Butler Funeral Home, 701 North 94th Street, Kansas City, KS 66112, followed by a funeral services from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM.
Ardella will be laid to rest in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, 701 North 94th Street, Kansas City, Kansas 66112.
Serving as pallbearers are Dennis Guernsey, Jr., Christopher Fisher, II, Nicholas Fisher, Jamie Guernsey, Jason Guernsey, Andy Middleton, Blake Fisher and Dennis Middleton.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.chapelhill-butler.com for the Xarhis family.
