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 Oct. 7, 2004) and Yvonne (Mrs. John Wolsmann), Omaha, NE.
Mr. Gaarder was proud to be a farmer and caretaker of the land. He and his wife Carol lived on three separate farms during their marriage, the first being adjacent to the family farm, the second "across the road" and the third being a return to the home farm. The home farm has been owned since 1888 by Gaarders who had emigrated from Norway. During his farming career Donald and wife Carol received a Century Farm award in 1994.
At age 83 he raised his last crops and on 2007 Mr. Gaarder "moved to town". Over the last ten years he lived at the Maple Court apartments, then Pines Assisted Living and finally the Lutheran Nursing Home.
They traveled with family, beginning with weekend family gatherings and fishing together in northern Minnesota, then national parks, later Switzerland, Germany, Denmark and Norway. For many years they wintered in Arizona, beginning with a week's visit with his aunts Stella Tenold and Adeline Henderson. Their length of visit extended year by year until they became 3-month "snowbirds" and annually brought a daughter and family to visit them.
Mr. Gaarder was a lifelong member of First Lutheran Church in Northwood. He served as trustee, finance committee member, usher, and other positions. 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 chair of the Kensett Centennial celebration in 1972.
He and wife Carol were encouragers to their children in the 4-H program. After more than 36 years of ribbon purchases at the Worth County Fair auction, in June 2017 Don bought his final 4-H ribbon.
Survivors include his sister Audrey Appel, Oregon, WI, sisters-in-law Grace Tenold, Kensett, IA, and Ruth Despenas, Mohave Valley, AZ; his four daughters and his 12 grandchildren: Bjorn Hasseler, Annikka Trabucco Hasseler, Lars Hasseler, Anders Hasseler; Johana Jefferson Reynolds, Laura Jefferson Zanders, Kenneth Jefferson, Michael Jefferson; Amanda Mechem Shoemaker, Kim Mechem Gniadecki, Inga Webner Van Cleve, and Erin Webner Rue. The 17 great-grand children are Maeve, EllieAnna, Carter, Eviana, Sophia, Primera, Zoey, Anabella, Evelyn, Parker, Preston, Noah, Conner, Kaylee, Emma, Lacee, Khloe. He and Carol served as parents to Ellert Nodtvedt who was also employed by them for decades.
He is predeceased by parents, brother Hoyt, sister Ileen, wife Carol, son Gregory.
Memorial gifts in lieu of flowers may be directed to Hospice of North Iowa or one's favorite charity.
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