Ardis Jean Carr Syndergaard was born on June 19, 1934, to Ray and (Blanche) Irene Swant Carr in rural Hillsdale, Wisconsin. Her childhood was spent on her family's farm, where she lived in a log cabin and participated in all areas of farm work. In 1952, Ardis graduated from Barron High School, and in 1956, she graduated from the Stout Institute (now the University of Wisconsin-Stout) with a degree in home economics education. She married Larry Syndergaard in 1958, and the family moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan, where Larry was a member of the English faculty at Western Michigan University. Ardis started a dressmaking business and worked for Medieval Institute Publications at Western Michigan University. Her hobbies included cooking, gardening, decorating, and entertaining guests. Ardis passed away June 24, 2008.

The collection (1995-2010) contains Ardis Jean Carr Syndergaard's reminiscences from her childhood on the farm in rural Wisconsin. This work was compiled and edited posthumously by her husband, Larry Syndergaard. The collection also includes responses to the reminiscences from friends and family, an additional article written by Syndergaard in 1995, and a program containing biographical information from her memorial service.

The collection is arranged in chronological order.