Carolyn Dardis, 83, Killdeer, died Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at Hill Top Home of Comfort, Killdeer. Carolyn’s Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, April 9, 2011 at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Killdeer with Father Darnis Selvanayakam, MSFX, interment will follow at Killdeer Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the church with a vigil service at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to service time at the church.

Carolyn Joyce Kowis was born January 5, 1928 in Grassy Butte, to Joe and Lena (Tabor) Kowis.  She grew up on the family farm with ten brothers and sisters, attending school in Grassy Butte.

On December 27, 1947, Carolyn married Thomas A. Dardis in Bismarck, where they managed a local restaurant. Moving back to western North Dakota, they lived for a time at Trotter’s on the Little Missouri River where Tom taught school. After the birth of their first son, Stanley, they moved to Killdeer where Tom became the city Chief of Police. Three and a half years later, a second son, Bernie was born. Carolyn was a “house mother” to dozens of young people who boarded at the Dardis home over the years. Carolyn also worked at the Gambles Store in Killdeer and helped Tom raise cattle and manage family owned rental properties. After Tom’s death in 1986, Carolyn continued to live in Killdeer, moving into the Hilltop Home of Comfort in 2009.

Carolyn enjoyed fishing, bowling, bridge, quilting, crocheting, and gardening. Her home was a favorite gathering place for family and friends, where there was always a roast in the oven and fresh buns on the table. Carolyn loved her boys, her daughters-in-law, her siblings, and her extended family of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. She was especially proud of and dearly loved her five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Carolyn is survived by two sons, Stanley (Sharon) Dardis, St. Paul, Minn., and Bernie (Louise) Dardis, West Fargo.  Also grateful to have shared in Carolyn’s life are siblings, Mary Ellen Sabrosky, Stanley Kowis, Kenny (Jeanne) Kowis, Wally (Mary) Kowis, Donna (Neil) Grevious and Delores (Jim) Bice; grandchildren Jason (Tammy) Dardis, Christopher (Kim) Dardis, Jennifer (Thomas) Shawgo, Patrick (Jennifer) Dardis and Daniel (Kelsey) Dardis; and great grandchildren Taylor, Kelsey, Charlie, Lucy, Drew, Tucker and Tyler.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Lena, her husband, Tom, three sisters, Katharyn Trotter, Annabelle Kukla, and Marjorie Hanson and one brother, Bobby Kowis.