Ardys Nord Morgan

Her beloved family survives: her daughter, Elizabeth Morgan Lamoreux (Jon), and granddaughter, Avery, of Culver, Ind.; her son, Matthew Morgan, of Portland, Ore.; and her partner of nearly 20 years, Stephen Quandt of Florence, Wis., and his children, David and Carol.

Ardys, raised in Indiana, was the second of five children of Janet (Eide) Nord and Arthur Nord. Though her parents did not prioritize education for women, the day after high school graduation, she enrolled in Indiana University, self-funded her education, and graduated in three years. Her lifelong professional passion was working to increase student achievement outcomes for all children through public education.

While raising her children, she continued to pursue her education, earning her M.S. Ed.S. and Ed.D. in curriculum and school administration. She worked as a classroom teacher, curriculum director, assistant school superintendent, school superintendent, and served on the faculty at IUSB. Additionally, she was a national education specialist for a technology company and eventually owned her education consulting service for the last 12 years of her professional life.

As a consultant, she worked tirelessly to bring services to special education students and quality pre-K to rural districts. She worked with school districts ranging from New York City to tiny villages on the Alaskan tundra, utilizing data to enhance student-teacher interactions and ultimately improve student achievement. Additionally, she attended Laura Bush’s First Ladies Luncheon as a guest of Gwen and Tim Walz, whom she befriended while working in the schools of Mankato, Minn.

After retirement, she moved to rural northern Wisconsin/the Upper Peninsula with her partner, Steve. Her never-ending curiosity set her on a journey to understand the history and culture of the people of the U.P. While living in Wisconsin, she completed an extensive personal family history as a gift to her children and siblings: Judith Nord Wilbur of Sacramento, Calif.; Arthur Nord Jr. of Portland, Ore.; Susan Nord Collier of Rock Hill, S.C.; and Scott Nord of Holly, Mich. (who preceded in death). Going back more than 400 years, it became an in-depth expedition into the history of Western Europe and the expansion of American settlement. She sought to understand why people who came before her left home to make the arduous journey to America.

As her caregivers at Mayo would attest, her passion for history and political science stayed with her until the end. She engaged the young people who cared for her in conversations about their responsibility to vote. Steve and her children are certain that Ardys will be long remembered at Mayo as the patient who never stopped teaching, learning, and listening to the stories of those around her. She also had a passion for knitting, and those lucky enough to be gifted a “Doctor Knits” original will feel her love for them whenever they wear her art. She was forever thankful that Steve had entered her life and for the adventures they shared together.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to the Public Broadcasting System, or PBS, to help continue Ardys’s passion for education by empowering individuals to achieve their potential and strengthen the social, democratic, and cultural health of the U.S.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

Condolences to the family of Ardys Nord Morgan may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.