Ardith Marie Morse, age 76, of North Platte, formerly of Chadron, NE, passed away Saturday, August 13, 2016, at Great Plains Health in North Platte.

Ardith was born February 5, 1940, to Arthur William and Mildred Isabelle Skinner Navis at Hershey, NE, and grew up in Hershey and North Platte. Ardith graduated from North Platte High School in 1957 then began her career with Northwestern Bell Telephone. By 1979 she transferred to San Diego, CA, eventually retiring from there in 1990.

On January 20, 1960, Ardith married James Bouws in Denver, CO, then later divorced. In 1972 she was married to Dale Morse and they later divorced.

Following her retirement, Ardith returned to Nebraska and enrolled at Chadron State College where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology then a Master’s Degree in Sculpture. She loved art and made amazing pieces.

As a teenager, Ardith loved horses and belonged to Roman Riding Travel Group. She also loved her family and was a kind and generous person. While in Chadron, Ardith was a member of the United Methodist Church and active in an art club. She also volunteered as a foster grandparent for Job Corps and Head Start, was on the Daws County Historical Museum Board, and did in-home care for others. On April 4, 2014, Ardith was recognized for her service when she received the Nebraska First Ladies Award for Outstanding Community Service and was presented with the National Service Volunteer of the Year Award. She had recently returned to North Platte to be closer to her daughter.

She is survived by her children, Patti (Randall) Paxton, of North Platte and Gary Bouws, of Phoenix, AZ; four grandchildren, Jennifer (Ryan) Schulkey, Jason (Megan) Baker, Christopher Baker and Robby Baker; 10 great-grandchildren; two nieces; and other family.

Ardith was preceded in death by her parents, Art and Mildred Navis, and stepmother, Dorothy Tharp Navis; brother, Ernest ‘Bill’ and wife, Lucille Rose ‘Sugar’ Navis; infant grandson, Zachary Bouws; and great-grandson, Brandon Schulkey.

Cremation was chosen. Memorial Service will be 2 p.m. Thursday, August 18, 2016, at the First Christian Church with Pastor Jan Ekstedt officiating. Inurnment will follow in the Plainview Cemetery, south of Maxwell. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. Memorials are suggested to the Callahan Cancer Center or the Donor’s Choice.