Leap Year 100th birthday celebrates memory of Ardis Souhrada

From an article in the Spring Valley Tribune
Read the original article on the Spring Valley Tribune website >>

Spring Valley Tribune

Preface:  Before reading about Ardis Souhrada’s 100th birthday celebration on Sunday, March 1, at the Stewartville United Methodist Church, please note how this happened!   This past fall, my husband of 58 years, Gust, was hospitalized for six weeks as he was critically ill with sepsis.  On one of my many visits, while waiting for an elevator, I overheard a family discussing plans for a birthday celebration for a deceased family member.  They spoke about a planned celebration of the loved one’s life and hoped many family members would attend.  I thought what a wonderful idea, especially since we celebrate birthdays for many presidents, public servants, movie stars, and the list goes on; why can’t we do the same for family members or friends who have meant so much to us? 

Ardis Souhrada left this world on July 28, 2019.  Being a Leap Year baby, she did not live to celebrate her 100th birthday on Feb. 29, 2020, but after talking with her son, the Rev. Wane Souhrada, and receiving his “blessing,” Ardis’ church family did celebrate during fellowship time Ardis’ 100th birthday with a special teapot cake and cupcakes.  Ardis’ sister and best friend, Deloris Nagel, from the Waters on Mayowood and Souhrada were present. 

The following signage was used for the very special occasion: “We celebrate the 100th birthday on Feb. 29 to a favorite past member of our Stewartville United Methodist Church – Ardis Souhrada.

“Ardis brought sunshine to our lives with her beautiful smile and kind disposition.  Being a Leap Year baby, she looked forward to celebrating her 100th birthday.  Ardis left us on July 28, 2019, at the age of 99, BUT TODAY we celebrate her life and what a wonderful Christian friend she was to everyone she met.  Enjoy a cupcake and share a memory of our dear friend, Ardis Souhrada.”