- Date Of Birth: July 26, 1944
- Date Of Death: December 17, 2008
- State: Idaho
J. Diane Ard, 64 of Boise, died Wednesday, December 17, 2008, at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center after a courageous battle with cancer.
She was born on July 26, 1944, in Rexburg to Bud and Ardella Willis Freeman. She grew up and attended schools in Rexburg, graduating from Madison High School.
In November 1962 she married Jessey Roker in Rexburg. They made their home in Rigby, where they raised their five children. They later divorced.
On December 23, 1985, she married Charles Joe Smith in American Falls. He died in 1988.
On September 17, 1989, she married Tom Ard, her high school sweetheart, in Boise, where they made their home.
She is survived by her husband, Tom Ard of Boise; her five children, Lori (Craig) Bates of Rigby, William Roker of Rigby, Matthew Roker of Caldwell, Tina (Jess) Moren of Boise, and Andrea (Ed) Lee of Rigby; a stepson, Tom Jaren (Susan) Ard of Boise; and a stepdaughter, Jennifer Rust of Idaho Falls; her grandchildren, Byron Lee, McKenna Lee, Desiree Roker, Zachary Bates, Brian Bates, Mitchell Moren, Tommy Ard, and Mariah Ard; her mother, Ardella Freeman Briggs of Rexburg; and a sister, Sheila (Mike) Merrill of Baker City, Oregon. She was preceded in death by her father, Bud Freeman; a sister, Merle Freeman; and two grandchildren, Tiffany and Christopher Bates.
A special thanks to Dr. Schultheiss and his staff; Legacy Home Health; and the nurses and staff of St.
Diane will be remembered for her energy, strength, courage, her love of life and her ability to make friends with everyone she came in contact with. She will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew her.
