John E. Gard
June 12, 2011

John was born in Chicago, Illinois on June 3, 1939 to Gerald and Lorena (Wells) Gard. While growing up, he lived with his family in several different communities in Illinois. At the age of 19, he moved to California where he attended UCLA through a Bendix Corp. program. He lived in California for 18 years and then he lived in Kansas for 5 years. The past 37 years, he lived in Nebraska.

During his working years, John had been the purchasing manager for the Bendix Corp. in California from 1961 to 1973, and from 1973 to 1975 was purchasing manager for Guerdon Industries in Newton, Kansas. From 1976 to 1978, he was director of purchasing for Progress Inc. of Hesston, Kansas. Then in 1978, he became director of purchasing for Bird Engineering Inc. (division of Bird Automotive) of Fremont, and in 1983 he became vice president of operations for F. G. Manufacturing (division of Bird Automotive) in Elkhorn, Nebraska. He was with Valmont for several years before retiring in 1995, due to his health.

On December 26, 1992, John was married to Virginia Garrison Pedersen.

Survivors: wife - Virginia
3 daughters - Rhonda Dunlap of Decatur, Illinois
Gina and husband Mark Quinlan of Decatur, Illinois
Angelia and husband David Arnold of Fremont
2 step-sons - Anton and wife Tera Pedersen of Fremont
Michael Pedersen of Fremont
14 grandchildren
3 great grandchildren
sister - Loretta and husband James Johnson of Wappapella, Missouri
brother - Gale and wife Rashele Palmer of Colon

He was preceded in death by his son John, 2 brothers Charles and Jerry Lee, and 2 grandchildren Ashley and Anthony.

The funeral service will be held in the First Lutheran Church (3200 E. Military) at 1 PM Friday (June 17th) with the Rev. Charlie Axness officiating. The committal will follow in Ridge Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family.

Visitation will be at the Ludvigsen Mortuary on Thursday (June 16th) from 2 to 8 PM, and will continue at the church on Friday for an hour before the service.