Ardith Kienholz

Ardith Jean (Coyne) Kienholz, age 79, of Dent, MN, died peacefully on Thursday, July 3, at the Perham Living Hospice with her family by her side. She will be deeply missed by all her family and friends.

She was born May 27, 1946, in Oakes, ND, to Earl and Adeline (Rezac) Coyne, the third of four children. Her family moved later to Dilworth, MN, where she attended public school and graduating high school in 1964.

Ardith married her first husband Robert Ohman of Dent, MN, on September 5, 1964. They lived in Fargo, ND, and were blessed with two sons Gregory and Travis. They later moved to Brainerd, MN, and divorced in 1987.

Ardith held the position of assistant manager at K-Mart in Brainerd, MN, from 1978 until 1990. She made many friends there and was known as the go-to person for all manner of day-to-day problems.

Ardith married her high school classmate David Kienholz of San Jose, CA, on February 17, 1990, and moved to San Jose, CA, immediately thereafter. She was always a loving and supportive wife during their 35 years together. She was well known at her husband's place of business for her helpfulness and especially for her chocolate chip cookies. She enjoyed the California weather but often spent time during summers at the lake cabin of her sister Ginger and brother-in-law Art Riepe of Fargo, ND.

In California, she enjoyed baby-sitting for children of friends and for the grandchildren from her husband's first marriage. She was loved by many for her kind and generous nature, willingness to help, and her love of children. She was a member of the Santa Clara Carvers woodcarving club.

Following her husband's retirement, they moved in 2015 to their lake home on West McDonald Lake, Dent, MN, where she enjoyed woodcarving, gardening, and most of all, spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Ardith is survived by her husband of 35 years David Kienholz; sons Greg (Pam) Ohman of Brainerd, MN, and Travis (Teresa) Ohman of Baxter, MN; brother Terry Coyne of Hitterdal, MN; grandchildren Mitch Ohman, Chad Ohman, Adam Ohman, and Erin Ohman; and great-grandchildren Kai and Zeke Ohman. She was preceded in death by her parents Earl and Adeline Coyne; sisters Virginia (Riepe) and Ramona (Roney); and granddaughter Hope Ohman.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred for The Bridge food pantry in Perham, MN.

Visitation will be held at Schoeneberger Funeral and Cremation Service in Perham on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at 12:00 p.m., followed by the Memorial Service at 1:00 p.m. Interment will be at the Weimann Community Cemetery, Vergas, MN.