Marvin Jerome Gaard

Marvin Jerome Gaard was born at Bricelyn, Minnesota, the son of James and Marie Voldahl Gaard on July 3, 1913. He was baptized at the Bethany Lutheran Church and confirmed at the Trinity Lutheran Church near Bricelyn. He graduated from Thompson Iowa High School in 1933. He farmed with his brother, Clifford during the 1930's. Marvin married Lorraine Clausen on January 14, 1942 and they farmed near Frost and Thompson until they purchased the farm near Oakland, Minnesota in 1951. The Oakland farm has been their home until his death. Marvin began working with Federal Crop Insurance in 1962 and continued to service crop and hail insurance policies until the last stages of his illness. Marvin was active in many aspects of community life. He was active as a 4-H leader in Iowa, Democratic Party activities, and Lutheran Church activities. He held many offices in the Oakland Lutheran Church congregation. Marvin always loved animals and there is no record of any dog ever even trying to be unfriendly or bite Marvin. Marvin and Lorraine had three sons. Adrian preceded his father in death in September of 2007. Lamoyne teaches and is a county supervisor in Grinnell, IA, and Sheldon is a church musician in Camden, Maine. Grandchildren are Lisa DeRaad and husband Trevor, Jason Gaard and Isabella Gaard. Great-grandchildren are Slater and Phoenix DeRaad and Aubrey, Caleb, and Sophi Gaard. Marvin is survived by these children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, his wife Lorraine of 66 years of marriage, and his younger sister Edna and her husband Allen Johnson of Janesville, MN. Marvin was preceded in death by his son, Adrian; his older brother, Clifford; his younger sister Evelyn; and his parents, James and Marie Gaard. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers money be given to the Oakland Lutheran Church, its cemetery, Crossroads Community Hospice, the food shelf in Albert Lea, the Salvation Army or the American Red Cross.