Vermayne William Gard

Vermayne W. Gard, age 89, of Storm Lake, Iowa died Sunday, November 15, 2015 at the Ruthven Community Care Center in Ruthven, Iowa. Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, November 21, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake. Burial will follow in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Early, Iowa. Visitation will take place Friday, November 20, 2015 from 4-8:00 p.m. with the family present from 6-8:00 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. A Knights of Columbus Rosary will be prayed at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Vermayne William Gard was born September 5, 1926, in Mitchell, South Dakota, the son of John and Anne (Ernst) Gard. Vermayne attended school in Early, where he graduated in 1944. Following high school, he farmed and attended Buena Vista College where he earned a degree in Business Administration. On June 2, 1949, Vermayne was united in marriage to Rose Marie Keenan in Schaller, Iowa. Together they were blessed with six children: Susan, John, Patricia, Robert, Rose, and Nancy. Vermayne was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Storm Lake. He served as a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus, and was a former Grand Knight. Vermayne was also a hospice volunteer. Many years of Vermayne’s life were spent farming. He also kept busy as the owner and operator of Gard Hardware in Storm Lake, manager of Sears & Robuck in Storm Lake, owner of the Gambles Store in Storm Lake, and was manager of Iowa Automatic Gas Company in Early. In 1989, Vermayne retired, but came out of retirement to work at Walmart in Storm Lake for eighteen years in the electronics department. At the age of 83, Vermayne began his second retirement. Vermayne was a well-respected and well-liked businessman. He had a reputation for being honest and fair. Vermayne was a talented man when it came to restoring classic cars and woodworking. He was known as “Mr. Fix It”, as he could remarkably repair just about anything to make it work again. Vermayne will be remembered as an amateur ham radio operator and for his wonderful sense of humor. Most of all, family always came first for Vermayne. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. Those left to cherish his memory include his children: Susan (Vince) Davis of Early, Iowa; Dr. John (Dr. Azadeh Mozaffari) Gard of Dallas, Texas; Patricia (Mike) Woodle of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; Bob (Missy) Gard of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; Rose (Harold) Lloyd of Spencer, Iowa; Nancy (Bob) Reis of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; grandchildren: Cory (Jess) Davis, Collin (Gina) Davis, Dr. Brad (Dr. Christina) Woodle, Adam (Amy) Woodle, Drew Woodle, Gabriella Gard, Bela Gard, Wesley Lloyd, Trevor Lloyd, Drew Reis, Matt Reis, Olivia Reis; great grandchildren: Keagen Davis, Carson Davis, Pierce Davis, Serenity Woodle, Brooke Woodle, Kailey Woodle; sister, Donna Ann Crocker of Rocklin, California; extended family and friends. Vermayne was preceded in death by his parents, John and Anne Gard; wife, Rose Marie Gard; and sister, Noreene Aquino.

Vermayne William Gard

September 5, 1926 - November 15, 2015