Gaard, Charlene P. – 1938-2013

BAUERCAMPER, GAARD, GOEKE, THORNTON

Posted By: JCGS Volunteer
Date: 3/16/2014 at 16:42:15

Charlene P. Gaard, 74, died suddenly of a heart attack at her home in Clive on July 28, 2013. She was born in Marshalltown, Dec. 20, 1938, the daughter of Rueben and Estella Goeke Bauercamper.
Charlene grew up in Baxter. She was the valedictorian of her class at Baxter High School.
After high school, she worked at Maytag and then moved to Des Moines and was employed at Bankers Life Company, now Principal Financial Group. She was the supervisor of the steno pool and served as an officer’s secretary. She met future husband Tom Gaard at the company and they married in 1964. Shortly afterwards, she left to become a full-time homemaker and lived in Urbandale and Clive.
Charlene was a very talented painter and was good at crafts of all types. She was something of a perfectionist and was fussy about the upkeep of her hone as well as her own personal appearance. She loved Christmas and went to great effort to decorate her home.
She enjoyed travel to many destinations within and outside of the country. Of German heritage, a highlight was a trip to LippeDetmold where she met distant relatives and visited homes that were occupied by her ancestors hundreds of years ago. She was very supportive of Tom’s interest in the Civil War and they visited many battlefields, monuments and veterans cemeteries throughout the country. She enjoyed participating in event s of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and the Des Moines Civil War Roundtable.
Charlene will be missed greatly by her husband, family and friends. Tom and Charlene were looking forward to their 50th wedding anniversary next February.
Charlene was preceded in death by her parents. Survivors include her husband Tom; brother Gary (Lynne) Bauercamper of Bettendorf; sister Mary Kay Thornton of Ankeny; and nephews and family.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at McLaren’s Chapel. A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Resthaven Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to Central College, American Cancer Society or the United Way of Greater Des Moines.
Source: Jasper County Tribune; August 8, 2013