Ardis Kolling

Ardis Kolling, age 85, passed away on Monday, April 8, 2013 at her home in Abingdon, VA with her family by her side.

Ardis was born in Clearbrook, Minnesota on April 2, 1928 the daughter of Helen "Ness" Jorgenson and Elmer Jorgenson. She was raised in Northern Minnesota on a farm where she helped in the fields, and also with the chicken farm. In the winter she loved ice skating on many ponds with her friends. She was educated in Minnesota. She was married to LuVerne Marvin Swanson and Omer H. Kolling. She moved with her husband, Omer, and family to Virginia in 1952. She made her home in Abingdon, but never stopped missing her home in Minnesota. Ardis with her husband, Omer, operated several successful businesses in Abingdon including the Holiday Lodge Motel and G & O Homecenter. She was a real go getter and a hard worker. Ardis was well known in the community for her beautiful quilted baby blankets and well as intricate crocheting. In her early years in Abingdon she was an active bridge player and bowler. She loved to play cards, do puzzles, and above all loved to stop by casinos to try her luck. She claimed the slot machines would "talk to her" she did seem to have some very good conversations and good luck. Ardis also loved her white wine, and even most recently looked forward to her happy hour glass of wine. She was a charter member of St. John Lutheran Church. Ardis was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She always put her children first even as she was more and more ill she tried to keep going for them.

She is survived by her children: Bradley Swanson of Abingdon, VA, Susan Swanson-Cooper of Chantilly, VA, Christine Hipolito of Plantation, FL, Omer Kolling, Jr. of Stafford, VA, Alicia Osborne of Stafford, VA, Lance Kolling of Abingdon, VA; foster son, Norman Smith of Roanoke, VA; sister Clarice Kolling, of MN; grandchildren, Jason Hipolito and Andrew Hipolito both of FL, Lindsay Strup of Arlington, VA, Kristin Rohrer of Oakton, VA, Erin Cooper of Chantilly VA, Chelsea Hurley Stafford of VA and Kayla Osborne of Stafford, VA, Shane Kolling of Abingdon, VA, and Cynthia Cantor of Abingdon, VA; great granddaughter, Brooklyn Cantor; and great grandson, Ryan Rohrer.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Helen and Elmer Jorgenson. In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by her husbands, LuVerne Swanson and Omer H. Kolling; son, Ernest Kolling; brothers, Wayne Jorgenson and Charles Jorgenson; and sisters, Vernice Henno, Margaret Erickson, and Audrey Peterson.

Visitation will be from 5:30-7:00 p.m., Thursday, April 11, 2013 at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service. A funeral service will be held at 7:00 p.m., Thursday at the funeral home with Pastor Scott Homesley officiating. A committal service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, April 12, 2013 at Forest Hills Memory Gardens where Jason Hipolito, Andrew Hipolito, Shane Kolling, Tim Paretti, Charlie Parris, and Joey Sauls will serve as pallbearers.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. John Lutheran Church, 807 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Hometown Hospice of Abingdon, VA and Evercare Hospice of Chantilly, VA for their compassionate and professional care.

Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guestbook.

The family of Ardis Kolling is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service and Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210 (276-623-2700).