Organist celebrates 50 years

SCANDINAVIA – Ardelle Shanklin first sat behind the organ at Scandinavia Lutheran Church Jan. 19, 1975 and 50 years later to the day she still sits to play the organ every Sunday.
“I don’t think I had any idea that I would continue to play for so many years,” said Shanklin.
Shanklin grew up in Iola and learned to play the piano at six years old when her sister encouraged her.
Shanklin said her sister is the first person to teach her the piano, and then she took a few lessons on the organ while in high school from the organist that played at the Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Iola.
The congregation at Scandinavia Lutheran Church presented Shanklin with a plaque on Jan. 19.

“Recognizing 50 years at the organ, it felt nice,” Shanklin said. “I guess they’re glad to have me there and I just keep playing.”
Outside of playing organ for her church Shanklin said she has also been involved with Lutheran World Relief, which is an organization that helps those in need throughout the world by sending supplies like school supplies and clothes to less fortunate nations.
She also quilts, knits and crochet’s in her spare time mostly for Lutheran World Relief.