Ardetha Marie Connelly Christensen, 92, of Ponca City, went to be with the Lord on December 28, 2020. A Funeral Ceremony will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, January 2, 2021, at the Ponca City Assembly of God Church, with Pastor Michael Wells and Pastor Dewayne Bardwell officiating. Face masks are recommended. For those unable to attend, the ceremony will be live streamed. The broadcast can be accessed by visiting www.troutfuneralhome.com starting at 1:45 PM, and selecting the live stream link in the upper right hand of the homepage. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory.

Ardetha was born on November 29, 1928, in Cleveland, OK, to James and Lillie Mae (Casey) Guthrie. She was a life-long resident of Ponca City and attended Ponca City schools, graduating in 1946. Her early work included: Murray and Ritz movie theaters, First National Bank and Dr. Terry’s office. Later she opened The Honey Tree children’s clothing and later purchased another children’s store on Main Street - Little Rascals. She sold the stores and later worked at her last jobs, Bag Lady and Liles and Company.

Her one and only church was First Assembly of God which she followed to three locations and served faithfully for 73 years. Her church family was very important to her. Ardetha was always attending and usually organizing church functions, ski trips, trips to Branson, church dinners and special occasions. Later when she was slowed by a stroke, she became the #1 greeter until recently.

Tommy played football; Terry played baseball/softball and Ardetha never missed any of their games. Paula was the youngest of her children and they spent a lot of time together, especially after the kid’s clothing stores opened up. Ardetha loved watching all the grandkids play sports, in the band and at other events. She also loved tennis and if there was a match anywhere she would attend or watch it on TV. She never missed professional tennis on her tennis channel. Her last item on her bucket list was a trip to Wimbledon. Plans and arrangements were made, but she never got the chance. She is with family now that beat her to heaven. Every body knew Ardetha because of her many jobs and her involvement in the community; but mostly because she just loved people-especially her families, home, and church.

She is survived by: her husband, Bob, of the home; son, Terry Connelly and his wife, Glenda, of Edmond, OK; daughter, Paula Greenhagen and her husband, Jimmy, of Ponca City, Pam Connelly; step-daughter, Glenna Christensen, of Tacoma, WA, Lynn Gustafson and her husband, David, of Burleson, TX; stepson, Kurt Christensen, of Burleson, TX; daughter-in-law; grandchildren, Cameron, Rodney, Chance, Rhett, Matthew, Marcy, Ryan, Brandon, Blake, Alex, Kate; 18 greatgrandchildren; 2 cats, Boots and Snowy and numerous nieces, nephews, family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by: her parents; first husband, Gene Connelly; son, Tommy Connelly; and grandson, James Cole.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pawhuska Hospital, 1101 E 15th St, Pawhuska, OK 74056.