Ardell Alberta (Gilfert) Roth, 98, Lincoln, passed away Oct. 17, 2016. Ardell was born in Otoe, Nebraska on August 29, 1918, to Paul and Anna Gilfert. She graduated from Otoe High School and attended Peru State College. She taught as a country schoolteacher in several one-room Nebraska schoolhouses and was proud of her impact on students – who continued to stay in contact for years. During World War II she joined the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) – the U.S. Naval Women's Reserve. While in the WAVES she met Robert (Bob) Joseph Roth, who was serving in the U.S. Navy – and the two fell in love, were married for almost 73 years and lived in Lincoln, Nebraska for the past 60-plus years. They had four children: Rose Ann, Douglas Roy, Mary Kay and Bradley Paul. Ardell was loved for her fierce pride, gracious poise, sense of fairness and integrity – beautiful gray hair and soft (sometimes piercing) clear blue eyes – her strength, work ethic and honesty (even when you didn't want to hear it) – her vegetable gardens, roses, bird calls and Teddy bear collection – sugar snap peas, homemade raspberry jam and cornflake chicken legacy – her gorgeous alto voice – her touch of rebelliousness and her no-holds barred "poppycock" – her lessons in always standing up when you are knocked down – and her grand story telling, especially the wondrous tale of how she first met the love of her life.
Survivors include: husband Bob; children, Rose Ann Roth (Wendall Willey), Mary Kay Roth, Brad Roth, grandchildren Benjamin (Beq) Krauter, Anna and Josh Swartzlander, and Holly and John Roth, as well as great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Ardell was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Douglas; her siblings, Paul, Sevelta, Orlin and Arno; and her granddaughter, Kelly Ann.
Private graveside services.
Family Members
Parents
Paul A Gilfert
1884–1980
Anna Ropers Gilfert
1889–1970
Spouse
Robert Joseph Roth
1921–2017
Siblings
Sevelta Marie Alice Gilfert Meisinger
1915–2004
Paul Claus John Gilfert
1916–1966
Arno W Gilfert
1920–2004
Orlin W. Gilfert
1922–2001
Children
Douglas Roy Roth
1949–1975
