Ardeth McLaughlin

Ardeth McLaughlin, 92 of Glenwood, IA, passed away at Linnwood Estates on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 20, 2026 at the Loess Hills Funeral Home in Glenwood. Visitation at the funeral home will be held one hour prior to the service with family greeting friends at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be private. Loess Hills Funeral Home in Glenwood is caring for Ardeth and her family.

Memorials: Glenwood Fire & Rescue, Silver City Fire & Rescue or Oak Township Fire & Rescue

OBITUARY
Ardeth Kay (Vokach) McLaughlin was born May 31, 1933, on a farm near Burchard, Nebraska. She grew up in Beatrice, Nebraska, and graduated from Beatrice High School in 1951. In 1958, she married Merton Robert McLaughlin at First Christian Church in Beatrice. Two children, Thomas Robert and Caroline Kay, completed the family. In 1966, the family moved to Glenwood, Iowa, when Robert was transferred with Natural Gas Pipeline.
Ardeth was a stay-at-home mom while Tom and Caroline were growing up. In 1978, she began working at Glenwood State Hospital School, where she was a secretary for 10 years. In 1988, she transferred to the Department of Human Services office in Glenwood, also working as a secretary until her retirement in 1998.
During retirement, she and Robert enjoyed the years traveling, visiting friends and relatives, spending time with family and most of all, enjoying grandchildren Tessa, Abby and Robert. Ardeth and Robert were active, involved grandparents who attended countless activities and programs.
Ardeth volunteered for several years with the Glenwood Community School District third grade teachers and students. She also was a devoted volunteer with the Glenwood Public Library, especially with the weekly story hour. She rounded out her volunteering as a mentor with the Mentoring with Heart program. In her later years, she was a faithful member of the mat making group at Trinity Lutheran Church in Glenwood.
Ardeth was an active member of First Christian Church (now Vine Street Bible Church) since she was 11 years old, first in Beatrice and then in Glenwood. She was an active worker in the church, which was a steady presence in her life.
Ardeth had special people in her life whom she dearly loved. Her family, especially grandchildren Tessa, Abby and Robert, was her greatest joy. She made many friends along the way, whether in her neighborhood, church or volunteer activities. She especially enjoyed reading, drinking a good cup of coffee, walking at the Glenwood Lake Park, trying new recipes (and re-trying old ones!), exercising at the Bloom Senior Center, participating in book clubs and traveling with the Glenwood State Bank Heritage Club. In her final years, she was blessed to live at Linnwood Estates, where staff and residents were like family.
Ardeth was preceded in death by her husband Robert, brother Keith Vokach and sister Deloris Little. She is survived by her son Tom (Denise) McLaughlin, daughter Caroline (David) Gran, granddaughters Tessa and Abby McLaughlin, grandson Robert Gran, step grandson Mitchell Hinkley; step granddaughter Elizabeth Porter; step great granddaughters Taylor “Minnie” Porter and Mariah Porter; and several nieces and nephews.