Ardythe Mae Flueckiger

Ardythe Mae (Luginbill) Flueckiger, 99, a lifelong resident of Berne, Indiana passed away Wednesday afternoon, October 4, 2023, at Swiss Village in Berne, Indiana.

Ardythe was the daughter of the late Mrs. Ira H. Sprunger. Ardythe married Valier B. Flueckiger on November 30, 1947. He preceded her in death on June 13, 2010.

After graduating from Berne High School, Ardythe worked at Economy Printing and Nussbaum Novelty. She then attended Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois for one year majoring in music. Upon returning to Indiana, she worked at Central Soya (Bunge) in Decatur, Indiana for three years until her marriage to Valier. She was a very accomplished organist and pianist who used her musical talents to play for church services, weddings, and funerals. She especially enjoyed playing the organ for visitor tours of the First Mennonite Church that she and Valier conducted.

Ardythe was a member of the First Mennonite Church, where she was active in the Women’s Missionary Society. A highlight experience for Ardythe was spending many hours typing the recipes in the first “Our Swiss Pantry” cookbook which was published by the Women’s Missionary Society. A part-time job cleaning at Habegger Furniture in Berne for eight and a half years fit in nicely with her activities in church.

Survivors include a daughter, Jean (David) Kohli of Fort Wayne, Indiana; son, Dr. Bryan (MaryAnn) Flueckiger of Springfield, Missouri; son, Donald Flueckiger of Fort Wayne, Indiana; sister-in-law, Shirley Emshwiller of Cottonwood Arizona; grandchildren, Dr. Marc (Lisa) Kohli of San Francisco, California, Cheryl (Phillip) Ealing of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Jennifer (Matt) Stauder of St. Louis, Missouri, and Dr. Benjamin (Significant other, Dr. Hannah Hudelson) Flueckiger of Birmingham, Alabama; and great-granddaughters, Anna, Samantha, and Aubrey Ealing.

Ardythe was preceded in death by her grandson, Thomas Carter Flueckiger; and sister and brother-in-law, Dr. John E. and Betty Bennett.

Private family graveside services will be held.

Preferred memorials can be given to Swiss Village Samaritan Fund or Stillwater Hospice of Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Arrangements by Zwick & Jahn Funeral Homes, Yager-Kirchhofer Chapel of Berne, Indiana