The arrival of Ardys Norine Bredvold on January 15,  1926 was greeted by her three sisters, parents and a blanket of fresh snow in Saint Maries, Idaho. She turned 100 years old this year.  Born to Frankie E. (Graff) Bredvold and John Alfred Bredvold, she joined older sisters Evelyn, Mildred and Marion. She passed away April 4, 2026. 

Growing up in the 1920’s and 1930’s, there were childhood stories about swimming in the St. Joe river with her older sisters and friends, walking to school over the old railroad bridge, the flood of 1933, and many other childhood memories. She attended the old Lincoln School in Saint Maries, Idaho and graduated from Saint Maries High School in 1943.  She had a keen interest in history and people, both local and world,  and was a voracious reader.  Some of her favorite magazines were the Smithsonian and Archaeology.  She had a great sense of humor, loved to laugh and had an interest in health before it was fashionable. The school would later recognize Ardys and Raleigh with Hall of Fame Alumni Honors.

At the height of World War 2, Ardys enrolled in Pacific Lutheran University eventually graduating in 1948 with a Bachelor’s of Liberal Arts with a major in Biology, and minors in History and Business. Her high school and college years were filled with much activity and the establishment of lifelong friendships and memories. Among her accomplishments at Pacific Lutheran College were her stints for several years working at the Mooring Mast, the school newspaper, eventually as a co-editor, Associated Student Body Secretary, as well as Sec-Treas of the Linne Society.  She was a May attendant 3 yrs and May queen her 4th year. 

She was a loving, fun wife to Raleigh Adam Hughes, Jr. Together they lived a full, active life and had a strong faith.

Her studies in Tacoma involved assisting the renowned forensic pathologist, Dr. Charles Larsen. She also worked at Paradise Lodge at Mt. Rainier, WA. One winter she told about going Rump Rumbling on Mt. Rainier, when a film crew came from Hollywood to film them. She volunteered at the Farragut Naval Station during WW2 and told of the wounded she encountered there. She was offered a job to work with Morrison-Knudsen overseas in the Middle East but chose to live in St. Maries, Idaho after graduation from college. Her heart was always where she had grown up. She worked for the local JC Penny, Safeway, the lumber mill, prosecuting attorney, and for many years at Benewah Medical Clinic.

Ardys and Raleigh would often go to their jointly owned cabin, with high school friends, near St. Joe City. Friends and family were always welcome there. It provided many happy, fond memories. Their name for it was the “Buck Pasture”. She was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Her parents were charter members upon its founding, and she spent many hours there in volunteer work.  Ardys had a genuine interest in whoever she met and was blessed with countless friends. Recently she said she was thankful every day for the life that she had. She was full of life and enjoyed it.  Some of her favorite activities with our father, family, and friends were blue-back fishing, camping on the St. Joe River, time spent at their cabin, playing bridge, attending her children’s sporting events, gardening, attending church faithfully, and listening and dancing to Big Band music.

She is survived by her children and their families. Jeffrey Scott; Kelsey Leigh Hughes Galloway and husband, Stan Galloway; Cameron John Hughes and wife, Auxi and Joel Anders Hughes and wife, Karen Creveling-Hughes. She counted her 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren as one of life’s blessings. Family meals, her special “pies”, and stories around the family table and home were demonstrative of her love. She was very kind, always giving a listening ear, a Christian example, generous mother, grandmother, and friend to all. Her life will always be a blessing, her memory a treasure for those she touched. God has you in his keeping, we have you in our hearts.

The family would like to thank the staff of Guardian Angel Homes and Auburn Crest for their compassionate care for our Mom.  A Memorial service will be held in St. Maries, Idaho at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church on April 17, 2026 at 11 AM. If you want to honor Ardys Hughes with a gift and in keeping with her service, memorial donations can be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, St. Maries, Idaho