Ardis E. Schussman

Ardis E. Schussman, age 97, of Chilton, died on January 3, 2021, at Century Ridge Assistant Living in Chilton. Ardis was born at home in rural Juneau, Wisconsin, on May 20, 1923, to William and Adeline (Bauer) Becker. She was the oldest of four siblings and was raised on a farm in Cayman Township, Dodge County. Ardis was raised in a home where God’s Word was taught, hymns and Gospel songs were sung and played with their instruments; they attended Sunday school and church together as a family. 

As a teenager, Ardis placed her faith in Christ as her Savior at a revival meeting at their church. She was a 1941 graduate of Juneau High School and of Dodge County Normal School in Mayville, Wisconsin, in 1943. For five (5) years she taught in a country school in Dodge County. In 1946, Ardis met Lester Schussman on a blind date set up by her best friend, Ruth Battermann. They continued to date for two years and on October 9, 1948, Lester and Ardis were married. For more than 60 years they lived on a diversified farm in Fond du Lac County near Pipe village. There they raised a family of 5 children – 4 sons and 1 daughter – Doug, Randy, Dan, Dwight, and Brenda.

Ardis spent her time raising her family, taking care of huge vegetable and flower gardens, and supporting the many farm-related activities that the family was involved in. Lester and Ardis were members at Faith Alliance Church in Chilton, Wisconsin, and attended for many years. Ardis played the organ, was very active in the Women’s Missionary Prayer Fellowship, taught God’s Word to children in Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, and the Awana program. One of her greatest thrills was to sing in the church choir or a family quartet on Sunday mornings and other church services.

When Lester was on the road attending and exhibiting his purebred Rambouillet sheep, Ardis would often stay home to keep the home fires burning, making sure everything on the farm ran smoothly. Even though Ardis was busy as a wife and mother, she somehow found time to attend the Calumet 4-H Club for several years. In their later years, Ardis and Lester hosted many Bible studies in their home, visited many people in their homes and in the hospital. Ardis was affectionately called “Grandma the Great” by her great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed!

Ardis is survived by her five children: Doug (Debbie) Schussman of Clewiston, FL, Randy (Mary) Schussman of Amery, WI, Dan (Ann) Schussman of Seymour, WI, Dwight Schussman of Menomonie, WI, and Brenda (Jim) Kempen of Fond du Lac, WI. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 5 step-grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren and 7 step-great-grandchildren. 

Ardis was preceded in death by her husband, Lester; her parents: William and Adeline; a daughter-in-law: Sharon; and siblings: Calvin, Dwayne “Uncle Dewey”, and Bernice.

There will be a Celebration of Life planned for the general public on Saturday, June 5, 2021. Please check back on our website for those details at a future time. To watch a livestream of a prayer service on Saturday, January 9, 2021 at 2:00pm, click HERE 

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in the name of Ardis Schussman. Cards and memorials may be sent to the Wieting Family Funeral Home, ℅ Ardis Schussman, 411 W. Main St. Chilton, WI 53014.