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Dec. 24, 1935-Aug. 31, 2026
Plaza
Ardell Gordon Lynne was born on December 24, 1935, to Otto and Myrtle (Erickson) Lynne in Plaza, ND. He grew up in Plaza, and along with his younger brother Ronald, Ardell helped on the family dairy/grain farm. He attended the Plaza school. Ardell enjoyed playing basketball (a game he watched all his life) and graduated from Plaza High School.
Ardell met Vivian Heller, the love of his life, at a dance in Plaza, and they married on June 10, 1956, beginning their life together. They first lived in town then in 1975, they moved to the farm where they raised three sons: Kim, Darcy, and Von. The farm remains in the Lynne family today.
He grew small grains and shared his knowledge and love of farming with his three sons. Ardell, Vivian and the three boys worked tirelessly as custom harvesters. Together, they started Ardell Lynne and Sons Custom Harvesting, and for 27 years they traveled the central plains, custom-combining, following the harvest north, home to Plaza. Their outfit included over 100 tires in motion.
In his younger years, along with Vivian, he was an avid bowler, bowling in a league close to home in Parshall. Strong in his farming and his faith, he volunteered on the Plaza Elevator Board and the Plaza Lutheran Church Board. He was also active in the snowmobile club and was a proud member of the Rambling Nodaks motor home and coach club.
Celebrating his Scandinavian heritage, Ardell volunteered at the Norsk Hostfest for 30 years, helping with heating and cooling at Copenhagen Hall. He was proud to lend a hand and always looked forward to eating Lutefisk. Ardell loved to sing and dance and rarely missed a chance to dance with his wife. He was a big basketball fan and enjoyed cheering for the Phoenix Suns.
Ardell and Vivian liked to travel, visiting places like Alaska, Hawaii and Mexico and enjoyed cruising the Panama Canal. For over 40 years they spent their winters in Texas then Arizona traveling to and from in their beloved motorhome. Remarkably despite all the miles travelling, he never once had an accident!
In 2024, Ardell and Vivian moved to Minot where they continued to enjoy their many friends from all over. Ardell made friends everywhere he went and loved telling jokes. Ardell and Vivian were always on the go. In June 2026, they celebrated their 70th Platinum Wedding Anniversary with many friends and family!
Ardell deeply loved his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His smile lit up the room and will be missed by us all. Not a day would pass when the phone wouldn't ring with a question from Ardell about the weather, the crops, the kids, the grandkids, and the great grandkids. He went to their sporting events and seldom missed a game (even getting to see the great grandkids now), always cheering them on. Ardell was devoted to his family and was always there to help.
On Monday, August 31, 2026, Ardell Lynne, age 90, of Minot (formerly of Plaza), passed away peacefully at a Minot nursing home surrounded by his loving family. Blessed be his memory.
Ardell is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Vivian; sons, Kim (Bette) Lynne of Roanoke, TX, Darcy (Vivian) Lynne of Plaza and Von (Doreen) Lynne of Minot; grandchildren, Brooke (Chase) Kiecke, Taylor Lynne (Sal Hildebrand), Tanner (Lindsay) Lynne, Tyson (Tracy) Lynne, Brock (April) Lynne, and Bryce Lynne (Amelia Watson); great-grandchildren, Joe and Claire Kiecke, Mckenzie and Maverick Lynne, Leo Lynne, and Charli and Beau Lynne. He will be dearly missed by his only brother Ronald Lynne of Minot (formerly of Plaza).
He was preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Myrtle (Erickson) Lynne; and daughter-in-law, Robyn Lynne.
Visitation: Friday, September 4, 2026, from 4 – 6 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, Plaza.
Funeral: Saturday, September 5, 2026, at 11 a.m. at First Lutheran Church, Plaza.
Burial: East Plaza Cemetery, Plaza.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Ardell may be made to the Plaza Park Board: East Cemetery or the Plaza Lutheran Church.
(Langhans Funeral Home, Parshall)
To share memories, go to www.langhans funeralhome.com.
Published by The Minot Daily News, September 4, 2026.