Ardis Lorraine Messinger Poole Poole, Ardis Lorraine Messinger, was born May 21, 1922, to the late Fred A. and Bertha A. Messinger in Red Willow County, Nebraska. She passed away in the company of loved ones on October 27, 2011, in La Mesa, California. She gained respect through her kindheartedness and gentle voice. She left a legacy of strength, directness and tender nurturing. Ardis grew up on the farm, walking to a one-room schoolhouse nearby for her primary education. In 1941 she graduated from McCook Junior College with a teaching credential and immediately went to work teaching first grade at Stamford and Culbertson, Nebraska. She married Sgt. James T. Poole in May of 1945, was a homemaker and mother to two children. Sewing and tailoring were her passions and she taught for many years at Emily Griffith Opportunity School in Denver. Always artistic, upon retirement she took up painting and became an accomplished watercolorist. She served as president of the Palmer Lake Art Group for several years, organizing art shows, classes and fund-raising for art scholarships for which she was honored with lifetime membership. In her '80's she made and donated over 250 teddy bears, each one unique, each one to a child who had never owned a toy of his or her own. Ardis is survived by her daughter, Susan Holtz of San Diego, son and daughter-in-law, Claire and Nora Poole of Denver; grandchildren, Nathan Holtz of Los Angeles, Collins and Taylor Poole of Denver; brothers Wayne and Roger Messinger of Nebraska and sister Wilma of Kansas. Ardis was preceded in death by her husband, James T. Poole. A memorial service will be held Saturday, December 3rd, at the Memorial United Methodist Church in McCook, Nebraska. Internment will be at Ft. Logan National Cemetery in Denver. Published in Denver Post on Dec. 2, 2011 Picture available