Ardes "Ardie" Brock

A kindhearted and gracious woman, Ardes Brock was the sort of person who was a friend to all who were within her reach. She experienced her share of trials, but she chose to always see the positive side of everything that came her way. A devoted wife and mother, Ardie lived to care for her husband and children, and it was her family that grew to include grandchildren and great-grandchildren that was her greatest source of pride and joy. Her life was an inspiration to others as she worked hard while still taking the time to enjoy the journey along the way. With a contagious zest for life, Ardie was the heartbeat of wherever she went. She will be deeply missed while her memory is forever cherished by all who were blessed to know and love her.

It was great to be an American during the decade that is commonly referred to as the Roaring Twenties. Motion pictures came to life with both color and sound and legends Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb made baseball America’s favorite pastime while the lights of Broadway never shined brighter. Nestled within this exciting time was the year 1927 that was filled with great joy for a young couple from Davison, Michigan, as they were pleased to announce the birth of their healthy baby girl on September 13th. Ardes Jane was one of three children born to her parents, Anton “Tony” and Verena Fick, and she was raised in the family home alongside her sister, Betty, and her brother, Howard.

In many ways Ardie experienced a typical upbringing for the youth of her generation. She enjoyed things like bowling, which she continued to enjoy throughout most of her life, going to dances, and going to the five cent matinee movie at the local theater with her friend, Kenny Hatchel. For a time she worked part-time at Kellogg’s Market.

New and exciting changes were in store for Ardie when she met the young man with whom she would write a love story that would span more than 60 years. His name was Jim Brock, and they met through friends. At the time Jim couldn't really dance so Ardie wasn’t too interested, but he was so smitten with Ardie that he learned some dance moves from his sister Arlene. They eventually started dating, and with a desire to establish a life together the sweethearts were united in marriage on June 26, 1948, in Davison. This was the place they called home until moving to Kalamazoo in 1973.

Together Ardie and Jim were thrilled to welcome three children into their hearts and home, Tim, Pam, and Jamie. As a mother she was down to earth and took great care in tending to the needs of her children as well as her husband. Everything that came out of her kitchen was fantastic with her fried chicken being among the family favorites. Ardie’s family looked forward to their many family picnics at Potters Lake in Davison or at times a family adventure to the drive-in movie theatre. Later on, Ardie also had a favorite pet, a grey poodle named Pepi. Pepi was loyal to Ardie but was known for being mean and nasty to others most times.

With her outgoing personality, Ardie enjoyed working outside of the home as it gave her a chance to talk to people. She spent some time working at her Dad’s and brother’s store, Finck’s Meat Market. While still living in Davison, Ardie also drove a school bus and got into real estate. The real estate market was a natural fit for her with her personality and knowing so much history of the town. Since Ardie knew nearly everyone in Davison she was the one who usually sold the most poppy flowers for the American Legion as well. After moving to Kalamazoo Ardie loved working at the ticket office for the Kalamazoo Wings. She also worked at Ruby’s Dress Shop.

As someone who enjoyed being active, Ardie was always doing something. Bowling was her passion as she bowled three days a week and even traveled all over the country to participate in tournaments. Ardie also enjoyed quilting, singing, creating things with decoupage, tap dancing, and dancing with Jim. Together she and her husband traveled all over the world including Alaska, Russia and Hawaii. For 20 years they spent their winters in Naples, Florida, but they always looked forward to coming back home to be with family and friends. She and Jim were members of the Kalamazoo AMBUCS where they had many good times and traveled to several national conventions. Ardie was a fan of Kalamazoo Wings hockey and basketball, and when it came to music she enjoyed Lawrence Welk, Liberace, Shirley Temple, Doris Day, gospel music and New Orleans jazz.

All who knew Ardes Brock would agree that she was one of the sweetest people around. She had the gift of gab as she could talk to anyone about anything. A friend of Ardie’s was a friend for life, and her sense of humor was refreshing. She was never one to dwell on the negatives, and she didn’t let others around her do it either as she could find happiness even in the valleys along her journey. Ardie’s love for her family had no equal, and it was when surrounded by her loved ones that she was truly content. She will never be forgotten.

Ardes “Ardie” Brock, of Portage, died on Friday, August 8, 2014, at her home. Ardie’s family includes her children: Tim (Paula) Brock, Mark Harrison, Jamie (Chip) Cree; six grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren, brother-in-law Jerry Schade; sister and brother-in-law, Arlene (Joe) Caon. Ardie was preceded in death by her husband Jim in 2011; daughter, Pam Harrison in 2012; sister, Betty Schade; and brother and sister-in-law, Howard (Josephine) Finck. Services for Ardie will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at the Life Story Funeral Homes, Betzler, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (375-2900) The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Please visit Ardie’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you may share a memory, upload a photo and sign her guest book. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice Care of SW Michigan or Kalamazoo AMBUCS.