Ardith A. Larson, 80, of Rhinelander, passed away Saturday, April 7, at Friendly Village Nursing Home. The former Ardith Alice Williquette was born July 26, 1931, in Mattoon, to Bernard and Genevieve (Robbins) Williquette.

She graduated from Merrill High School. Ardith worked as a bank teller at Gleason Bank and bookkeeper at Lassig’s Dairy Farm. She also worked at Schulz’s and Prange Way Department stores where she gained many close friends. Ardith enjoyed sewing and knitting as well as attending auctions with her husband and spending time with her family. She was united in marriage on September 25, 1954, to Robert Ernest “Swabby” Larson. Ardith was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church in Harrison.

Survivors include five children; Melody (Pat) Piper, Oshkosh, Todd (Lori) Larson, Robin (Wally Grossbier) Larson, Brian (Sherry) Larson and Tammy (Kevin) Stamper, all of Rhinelander. She is further survived by 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Ardith is preceded by her parents Genevieve (Robbins) Tesky, Walter Tesky and Bernard Williquette.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Thursday, April 12, at 11 a.m., at St. Augustine Catholic Church of Harrison, with Father John Anderson officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday, April 11, 2012, at the Hildebrand Russ Funeral Home from 4 to 6p.m.

(Hildebrand-Russ Funeral Home)