Emma Lauritzen Gaarde, 1914-2005

GAARDE, LAURITZEN

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 2/2/2009 at 18:17:20

Emma Lucille (Lauritzen) Gaarde, the daughter of Nels and Sofie (Schnoor) Lauritzen, was born November 5, 1914 at Fenton, Iowa and passed away on Thursday, July 14, 2005 at the Lutz Wing of Fairmont Medical Center in Fairmont, Minnesota at the age of 90 years, eight months and nine days.

Emma was baptized at Seneca, Iowa and was confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Ringsted, Iowa. She graduated from Ringsted High School in 1932. On May 28, 1933, Emma was united in marriage to Arnold Christian Gaarde at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. The couple was blessed with three children, Arnie, Cheryl and Paula. The couple farmed in the Armstrong, Ringsted and Halfa area for many years. In 1950, they moved to Armstrong and continued to operate the Farmers Mutual Insurance Agency, first from their home and later opened the office on Main Street. Emma performed secretarial duties for the agency until Arnold retired in 1979. She also assisted her brother, Ernie, with his accounting practice for many years. Arnold passed away on December 13, 1994 at the age of 86.

Emma was an active member of the Nazareth Lutheran Church and Nazareth Lutheran Church Women of Armstrong. She served for many years as treasurer of the church council and Sunday School superintendent. Community activities and involvement were important parts of her life. She was involved in the PTA, band parents,meals on wheels, Armstrong Historical Celebration Committees, the Little League, Armstrong Museum, Danish Fellowship and the Harmony Club. Emma's fingers were always busy sewing, quilting, baking or just doing something for others. Her greatest joy in life was her family. First and foremost her husband, her three children, eight grandchildren and sixteen great granchildren made her life fulfilled.

Emma is survived by her three children, Arnold (Arnie) P.(Bonnie) Gaarde of Ames, Iowa; Cheryl Opsal of Mankato, Minnesota and Paula (John) Dyer of Armstrong, Iowa. Also eight grandchildren, Stephanie (Dennis) Deering of Lubbock, Texas; Scott (Joleen) Opsal of Madison, Wisconsin; Lisa (Jerry) Hartsock, Southern Pines, North Carolina; Eric (Sheila) Opsal of Mankato, Minnesota; Michele (Robert) Sample of Monument, Colorado; Janelle (Rick) Oberle of Mankato, Minnesota; Peter (Amy) Cecil of Chaska, Minnesota and Jared (Erica) Cecil of Graettinger, Iowa; sixteen great grandchildren, Kasey Hartsock; Ryan Deering; Elle, Kellsey and Ashlee Sample; Katie, Amy, Andrew, Ben, Matt and Emily Opsal; Max Oberle; Jason, Jackson, Ainsley and Shealyn Cecil; sister-in-law, Berneta Gambell; brother-in-law, Earl Gaarde; many nieces and nephews.

Emma was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sisters, Lorine Anderson and Verna Jensen; one brother, Ernest Lauritzen; two sisters-in law, Fern Askeland and Grace Gaarde; son-in-law, Lyndon Opsal and nephew, Donald Anderson.