"O God, give us the serenity to accept what cannot be changed, the courage to change what can be changed, and the wisdom to know the one from the other." 

                                                                                        -- Reinhold Niebuhr

 Ardyce "Ardi" Carol Whalen, 91, of Crookston, Minnesota, passed away September 18, 2025, at Chapel View in Hopkins, Minnesota, surrounded by her loving family.

Born January 27, 1934, Ardyce was the eldest of six children of Arthur and Carrie Carlson.  Being raised on a farm in rural Stephen, Minnesota, along with her religious upbringing, undoubtedly molded her into the very strong-willed and independent woman she was.

Ardyce married the one love of her life, Gary Joseph Whalen, on February 11, 1954.  They welcomed five children and, being a Navy family, moved a total of 13 times before settling in Crookston, Minnesota, and raising their children there.

Ardyce’s passion in life, besides her husband and children, was her lifelong love of learning, writing, and her artwork.  Starting off with her co-valedictorian honor in Stephen, upon graduation, she went to two years of college at the University of North Dakota (UND) prior to her marriage.  She went on to earn two bachelor's degrees (in education and fine arts) and a master’s degree in communications while raising her family.  She taught language arts in junior high, senior high, and at the college level.  Ardyce has had articles published in magazines and wrote her first novel in 2017.  She was also a recipient of the Phi Upsilon Omicron award during her first two years at UND, awarded to the second-semester sophomore who ranked highest in all her university work!

Ardyce was always happiest when she was creating something or losing herself in a good book!

Upon retirement, Ardyce and Gary settled in Tucson, Arizona, for the next 20 years.  They moved back to Minnetonka, Minnesota, in 2023, as they were getting along in years and wanted to be near family and friends.

Ardyce's greatest feat of all is that she lives on in her children, who are all successful in their own right, filled with her grit and determination and her love of God and family.

Ardyce is survived by her loving husband, Gary Joseph Whalen; children Elizabeth Whalen Radi (Dennis Radi), Eaton, Colorado; Joseph Whalen (Fonda Dalzell), Sun City West, Arizona; Michael Whalen (Jean Fischer), Hopkins, Minnesota; Sandra Whalen Orr (Kevin Orr), New Ulm, Minnesota; and Jill Whalen Pogue (Chris Pogue), Boise, Idaho.  Ardyce is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.  She is also survived by three brothers and a sister, Wayne (Carol) Carlson, North Dakota; Inez (Truman) Spangrud, Arizona; John (Lana) Carlson, Minnesota; Charles Carlson, California; and numerous nieces and nephews.  Ardyce is preceded in death by her parents, Art and Carrie Carlson; and her sister, Marlys Sherman. 

Memorial Service Friday, October 10, 2025, 2:00pm at Westridge of Minnetonka, 11201 Fairfield Road, Minnetonka, MN 55305. 

Blessed be the memory of Ardyce Carol Whalen.