Rodger C. Gaarder

Rodger C. Gaarder, age 79 of Park River, ND passed away on Tuesday, June 09, 2009 at the Good Samaritan Center of Park River. Rodger C. Gaarder was born in Park River, ND to Clarence and Emma (Anderson) Gaarder on February 28, 1930. He was baptized and confirmed at the Pleasant Valley Lutheran Church where he remained an active member until the closing of that church. He then joined Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Park River where he remained a member until his death. Rodger graduated from the Walsh County Agricultural School in Park River in 1948 and received his Bachelor's Degree in Ag Economics from NDSU in 1952. While there he was active in the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity and the campus Lutheran Student Association. For years he enjoyed an active part in the Toastmasters Club and the friendships formed there. Following his graduation from NDSU he farmed with his brother Earl. An amputee from cancer in 1947, Rodger worked on the farm until he was physically unable to work any longer. In 2002 he moved to the Park River Good Samaritan Center where he lived until his death. He leaves to mourn his sister Eleanor Boe of Boulder, CO; a nephew, Dr. Jim Gaarder of Ossining, NY; a niece Marjorie Jonasson of Edinburg, ND and her children: Mara, Jerry and Rachel. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Earl and brother-in-law, Rev. Dwight Boe. Funeral services will be Monday, June 15, 2009 at 2:00 PM at the Our Saviour's Lutheran Church of Park River, ND. Visitation will be Monday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Pleasant Valley Lutheran Cemetery, rural Park River. Memorials are preferred to the Park River Good Samaritan Center, Our Saviour's Radio Fund or a charity of the donor's choice. An online guestbook is available at: www.tollefsonfuneralhome.com The Tollefson Funeral Home of Park River is in charge of the arrangements.