Ardell was born on May 23, 1929 in rural Hurley to Harvey & Lillie (Sorensen) Jensen. She attended country school and graduated from Hurley High School. After high school she attended Southern State School in Springfield where she received her teaching certificate. She taught school for 8 years.
She was united in marriage to Clinton Davis in 1950 at Spring Valley Lutheran Church, and they moved to the Walshtown area, and lived there for 27 years.
In 1977 they moved to Irene and Ardell and her daughter, Pam, opened the P & A Cafe which they operated for 9 years. Ardell then retired and was caretaker for Skogen Company & Tri County Apartments for many years. Clinton and Ardell and their grandsons also did lawn mowing. They enjoyed the “Funny Farm Camping Crew” and enjoyed taking road trips together.
Grateful for having shared her life are her two children Pamela (Paul) Erickson and Gregg (Beth) Davis, all of Irene, a sister Doris (Lyle) Larsen of Yankton, a brother Carl (Beverly) Jensen of Canistota, two sister-in-laws Mary Jensen of Blackhawk and Norma Davis of Gregory. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Suzanne (Chris) Torgerson, Sarah Erickson, Steven Erickson (Brittany Cihak), Matthew (Brittani) Davis, and Scott Davis, all of Irene and 5 great grandchildren Austin Erickson, Keeley Jaton, Schuyler Torgerson, and Brady & Gunnar Davis.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Clinton, sister Deloris Larsen, three brother-in-laws Leo Larsen, Kenny Davis, and Harold Nyhaug, and a niece Kimala Larsen.