September 7, 1938 – December 24, 2023

Ardell Elaine Fromm peacefully passed away at home with loving family present, on December 24th, 2023, after a 2.5 year battle with pancreatic cancer. Ardell was born on September 7, 1938 in Salem, Oregon to Dale and Opal Gunderson. She grew up the eldest of three children in San Bernardino, California Later she moved to Washington state where she attended Pacific Lutheran University and raised her three children with her husband. After having her third child, she received her Masters Degree in teaching from the University of Washington.

She was an elementary and middle school teacher on Mercer Island for nearly 30 years. After retirement she kept her mind busy by helping her friends and family complete their taxes and enjoyed volunteering at Seahawks games and the Mercer Island Thrift shop.

Ardell was an athletic person and remained active all her life, running three marathons, going on extended bike rides and participating in countless walks and runs; including one Seafair weekend that she ran three 10ks solo, just because she “liked it so much!” She loved the mountains and the outdoors, possibly a nod to her Norwegian ancestry. She became a proud (second!) homeowner in Leavenworth, Washington where she and her family have enjoyed all the nature it has to offer for over 3 decades.

Ardell loved traveling and visited many countries in her lifetime. She was especially proud of biking through Germany and France, visiting the Great Wall of China, and Norway. When not traveling the world or off on a cycling trip, Ardell could be found happy at home with her beloved animals. Usually you could find her outside gardening if weather allowed, or inside doing puzzle, word games or reading a book, always with a dog (or more!) in her lap. If one of her favorite sports teams, the Seahawks, Mariners, or Huskies were playing, she’d be loyally watching and rooting, more often than not, surrounded by her loved ones; her cherished family and friends.

Ardell was predeceased by her father Dale Gunderson and her mother Opal Gunderson.

She is survived by her two siblings, Sharon Kelly, Daryl Gunderson, her three children Gary Fromm, Lynn Schultz, Mike Fromm, her 6 grandchildren, Jessica Schultz, Chelsea Schultz, JJ Schultz, Kelly Fromm, Holly Fromm and Dante Fromm.