GAARDER, Donald O. 1943-2017

GAARDER

Posted By: K. L. Kittleson
Date: 6/10/2020 at 23:22:18

May 23, 1943 - September 29, 2017

Donald O. Gaarder, 96, Northwood, Iowa, died Friday, September 29, 2017, at the Lutheran Retirement Home, Northwood.

Visitation will be at the Hogan-Bremer-Moore Funeral Home, Colonial Chapels, 1008 1st AV South, Northwood, from 4 pm to 7 pm on Monday, October 2, 2017. Burial will be at 9:30 am on Tuesday, October 3, 2017, then the Memorial Celebration of Life at 11 am at First Lutheran Church,Northwood. Luncheon will follow.

Mr. Gaarder, a lifelong resident of Worth County, was born to Hilmen and Inga (Tenold) Gaarder.

He attended Kensett # 4 country school, graduated in 1938 from Kensett High School and attended Iowa State College, Ames. He farmed with his father. A War Harvest Certificate was presented to him by Iowa Farm Bureau for using his combine to harvest 115 acres of soybeans for his neighbor – “1944 Food for Victory Emergency”.

He married Carol E. Banken on May 23, 1943. To this union were born Marsha (Mrs. Robert Hasseler), Watertown, NY, Janice (Mrs. Bruce Jefferson), Dunkerton, IA, Susan (Mrs. Michael Mechem), Clarion, IA, Gregory (deceased) and Yvonne (Mrs. John Wolsmann), Omaha, NE.

Mr. Gaarder was proud to be a farmer and caretaker of the land. During his farming career Donald and wife Carol received a Century Farm award in 1994. He retired at age 84.

Don's and Carol's travels included much of the Midwest and later Norway.

Mr. Gaarder was a lifelong member of First Lutheran Church in Northwood. He was also a lifetime member of the Worth County Historical Society. He received in 2009 a 50-year membership award from the Kensett Lions Club. He served on the Worth County FHA Board, the County Compensation Board, the Manly Co-op Elevator Board, Elk Grove Cemetery Board. He was chairman of the Kensett Centennial celebration in 1972.

Both Don and Carol supported the 4-H program. For more than 36 years he made 4-H ribbon purchases at the conclusion of the Worth County Fair. Hobbies were golf and fishing.

In addition to his four daughters, survivors include his sister Audrey Appel, Oregon, WI, 12 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. He and Carol served as parents to Ellert Nodtvedt who was also employed by them for decades.

He is predeceased by his parents; his brother Hoyt; sister Ileen; wife Carol; and son Gregory.

Memorial gifts in lieu of flowers may be directed to Hospice of North Iowa or charity of one's choice.

SOURCE: Mason City Globe Gazette, 1 OCT 2017