Ardell Dale Gorter

Ardell Dale Gorter was born on April 27, 1943 to William and Elizabeth (Lems) Gorter in Doon, Iowa. While growing up in Doon, Ardell was passionate about baseball and he loved a good game of ping-pong, he was an excellent player. But his true passion during his childhood was GIRLS - he was always a flirt! Ardell attended the Christian Schools of America, graduating in May of 1956, he furthered his education by attending college at South Dakota Beauty Academy, graduating in 1960. Shortly after graduating, Ardell met Connie Hoffman and the two fell in love, getting married at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids, Iowa on July 5th, 1963. The couple moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota following their marriage, where Ardell worked with the Pepsi Distribution company and they welcomed their three daughters. The family of five then moved to Sioux City, Iowa where Ardell started driving truck to provide for his family. Later he dispatched for Hagan Trucking.

After the girls were grown, the couple moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota where he had the opportunity to dispatch trucklines in the Twin Cities. Then the couple settled in Blaine, Minnesota for awhile. During this time, Ardell and Connie built a home and started to breed rabbits. They raised Mini Rex and Checkered Giant rabbits, competing in several rabbit shows. They moved again to Pipestone for a bit, living on an acreage and raising horses together. The couple retired to their current home in Jasper, Minnesota where they lived happily. Ardell passed away on Monday, August 26, 2024, at the age of 81 years, 3 months and 30 days.

Ardell loved to stay busy. He was always working on a woodworking project, whether it was building children's picnic tables to donate to a fundraiser or spending hours crafting mini churches with Connie for loved ones. Ardell was good with his hands and put hours of labor and love into his projects. He enjoyed casino trips with Connie and traveling from state to state with Jamie. He loved snowmobiling and never turned down a cold beer at happy hour with his friends, especially Doug and Bryce. Ardell will be remembered for his deep voice and his singing ability - he's now singing duets with Harold from The Statler Brothers up in heaven now! Ardell proudly served in the Navy from January of 1961 to January of 1963. His name is engraved on a plaque at the Doon Veterans Park. His humor and ability to always state the truth, even when no one wanted to hear it, will be deeply missed.

Ardell is survived by his wife of 61 years, Connie Gorter of Jasper, Minnesota; children, Terri Ryan of Pipestone, Minnesota, Sherri (Bob) Hoffman of East Bethel, Minnesota, Cindy (Gorter) Hansen of Sioux City, Iowa; sibling, Betts Gorter of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; grandchildren, Rhiannon, Justin, Travis, Mitchell, Karli, Jamie, Jennifer, Hannah, Allison and Benjamin; great-grandchildren, Madalyn, Peter, Justin, Eva, Maxine, Carter, Dexter, Raelynn, Jade, Aria, Octavian, and Ryanne. Ardell was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Elizabeth Gorter; siblings, Lawrence Gorter, Cora Van Surksum, Leonard Gorter, and Andy Gorter; grandson, Justin Ryan; and son-in-law, Danny Ryan.