Ardes Louise Metz Obituary (1930

Ardes Louise (Buchanan) Metz, 85, passed away on Monday, December 28, 2015 at Cottage in the Meadow. Ardes was born in Garden City, Kansas on May 24, 1930, to Bryan and Mabel (Ray) Buchanan. Because it was also older sister Betty's birthday, Betty affectionately considered Ardes a personal birthday gift. She nicknamed Ardes 'Tootsie' after a popular doll of the time. In 1934, the family returned to Ava, MO. Work opportunities brought the Buchanans to Washington State in 1944. They rode out with another family in a large truck loaded in the back with children, adults and belongings. The Buchanan family settled in Gromore. Ardes was a Highland High School graduate. She married Anton Metz in 1950. Ardes had said once that the favorite time of their life was when her four younger children were still at home. She loved being their mother. Her enthusiasm and love for the young spilled over to her grandchildren, nieces and nephews. For thirty years, she worked at and eventually managed the Yakima Valley College Print Shop. One afternoon while eating lunch in the SUB with colleagues, Ardes witnessed one of her nephews streaking across the college campus wearing nothing but HER scarf. He streaked past the window to the awaiting getaway car- driven by one of her daughters. Ardes immortalized the event in a poem that was later published in the campus paper. She truly enjoyed her work and made many life-long friends at the college. Ardes was an energetic, fun-loving woman who had many interests. She enjoyed her flower bed, watching the birds in her backyard (especially the covey of quail), picking huckleberries, dancing, and playing bridge. Ardes was an avid, curious reader who loved discussing books. She liked her Free Cell and crossword puzzles. She was a self-taught piano, organ and guitar player. She hosted wonderful family gatherings adding to the warm memories of grateful friends and family. She was a magnet that drew people in and her generous, open spirit kept them close. Ardes is survived by her children: Elaine Reeves and Doug Metz of Yakima, Evelyn (Del) Brockett of Selah; her grandchildren: Michael (Katherine) Barnick, son James, McKenzie and Morgan Metz all of Yakima, Roger (Melissa) Barnick, children Lyla Cormac and Hazel (Vancouver, WA), Sterling Reeves (Seattle), and Eddie Reeves (Jacksonville, FL); and four great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Donald Max (Vickie) Buchanan (Banning, CA) and sister, Charlene Petersen (Yakima). There are many nieces and nephews who will also be impacted by her absence. Ardes is preceded in death by her husband, Anton; her son, Phil; brother, Jack Buchanan; and sister, Betty Stiles. Friends and family are invited to a Celebration of Ardes' Life at her house on Saturday, January 2nd from noon to 4:00 p.m. SERVICES Funeral service Saturday, January 02, 2016 Metz Residence ,