In Memory of Ardell Dickey

Alice Ardell Dickey, only daughter of Irvin C. Matthews and Ellen Mahala Jennings Matthews, was born April 25, 1921, in Richland Township, Adair County, Iowa.  She passed away December 28, 2012, at Morningside Rehab & Care Center in Ida Grove, Iowa, at the age of 91.
            Memorial services will be held 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 17, 2013, at Christensen-Huffman Funeral Home in Ida Grove.  
            Her four older brothers named her Ardell after a young girl living nearby.  Alice was a family name.  She was a real “Dad’s girl,” following him all over their farm and her brothers were very protective of her.  She graduated from Richland High School with the class of 1938.                      On August 28, 1940, Ardell was united in marriage with Edward S. Dickey.  Two children were born to this union:  Mary and Lyle.  They resided in Greenfield until 1958, when they moved to Charter Oak.  In 1966, Ardell and Ed moved to Ida Grove.
            She was a member of the Ida Grove First United Methodist Church, the American Legion Auxiliary and had volunteered at Horn Memorial Hospital in Ida Grove.  She worked 21 years for the Ida Grove school system.  She cared deeply for her family, enjoyed her friendships and had a great sense of humor.
            Ardell was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Fred, Willie, Everett and Wilbur; and her husband, Edward.
            She is survived by daughter Mary Peer and husband Thomas of Yarmouth Port, MA, and son Lyle Dickey and his wife Thanh of Anchorage, AK; grandchildren Matthew Peer of Manchester, NH, Susan Teixeira and husband Joseph of Ludlow, MA, Beth Peer of Boston, MA, Lan Sutton and husband Ben of Richmond Hill, GA, and Kim Dickey of Anchorage, AK; great-grandchildren Lauren and Nicholas of Ludlow, MA, and Megan and Abby of Richmond Hills, GA; nieces Colleen, Betty, and Linda; and other relatives and friends.