Ardith "Ardy" Elaine (Jeffries) Zwiener

Ardith Elaine Jeffries Zwiener (Ardy) died May 4, 2026 at age 98-1/2 years in Austin, Texas.

Ardy was born October 11, 1927 to Claude LeRoy Jeffries and Josephine Martha Vikturek Jeffries in a farmhouse outside of Osage, Iowa. During World War II, the family moved to Washington, DC, where in 1945 she graduated from Western High School. She witnessed many historical events such as Roosevelt’s 6-horse-caisson funeral procession down Pennsylvania Avenue. She also took part in the celebrations ending the war.

She graduated from Mary Washington College of the University of Virginia with a degree in English Literature. She was accepted to law school but never attended.

One day in 1951, while she was working as a legislative aide for Texas Congressman Homer Thornberry, a Marine officer from Fredericksburg, Texas, Captain Lonny Franklin Zwiener, came to visit his U.S. representative. It was love at first sight for Ardy and Lonny. For their first date, he picked her up at the steps of the U.S. Capitol. Lonny always said that Ardy was “the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.” They had a traditional Marine Corps wedding, walking “under the Arch of the Sabers,” on January 27, 1952 in Laguna Beach, California just prior to Captain Zwiener’s deployment to Korea.

In 1954, the happy couple settled in Austin. They were married 53 years and raised four sons. She was always there for her boys, constantly involving them in activities including sports, music, science, scouts, gardening and academics. She thought of them first, last and in the middle. Her natural instinct was to express love with warmth and kindness.

Ardy had a long, interesting career working for several federal agencies including the DEA. She loved telling stories of having to go downtown to unlock the safe for undercover sting operations.

Ardy was always the most vibrant person in the room and was impossible to ignore. She had a lifelong love of the arts. Always front and center, she was a drum majorette in her high school and college bands. She played violin in the orchestra, dabbled in oil painting, and recited lines from William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge until the last years of her life. Ardy loved good food and traveling, and combined those activities on a European tour with Lonny in their later years. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, often hosting elaborate tea parties or taking them to dinner at Chinatown.

Ardy was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her sister Virginia “Ginger” Laverne Jeffries Holland, and her brother LeRoy Vern Jeffries. Ardy is survived by her four sons and their families: William Franklin “Bill” Zwiener (Valerie “Jeanie” Russell Zwiener), Robert Jeffrey “Jeff” Zwiener (Carol Ann Potter Zwiener), John Richard Zwiener (Rachel Krause Zwiener) and James Frederick LeRoy Zwiener (Denise “Deni” Vidaurri). There are 13 grandchildren: Russell Franklin Zwiener (Jaime Gele Zwiener), Zachary Taylor Zwiener (Katherine “Kat” Baird Zwiener), Shane William Zwiener, Garrett Jeffries Zwiener, Erin Alisa Zwiener (Quincy Kennedy), Kristin Josephine Zwiener Duffy (Timothy John “TJ” Duffy II), Daniel James Zwiener (Marina Hill Zwiener), William John Zwiener, Leon Wolfgang Zwiener, Heather Laurel Zwiener Redmond (Nicholaus “Nick” Redmond), Luke Johann Zwiener, Adrienne Alicia Zwiener and Michael James Zwiener. There are 8 great-grandchildren: Emmaline Reece, Molly Claire, Charlotte Cecille “Cece”, Lark Kennedy, Kirra Josephine, Timothy John III “Tres”, Wylie Ross and Penelope “Penny” Ann.

The family wishes to thank Desiree Edwards FNP-C for her committed, competent and compassionate care over the last few years. We would also like to thank Leticia Mendez and the caregivers at Sodalis for their dedication and hard work.

A celebration of life will be held at Tarrytown United Methodist Church, 2601 Exposition Blvd, Austin, TX 78703 on May 11, 2026 at 10 AM followed by interment next to her beloved Lonny at the Texas State Cemetery, 909 Navasota St, Austin, TX 78702.