August 16, 1947 – November 26, 2024
Brian Gaarder was born on August 16, 1947, to Hoyt and Thelma (Julseth) Gaarder in Mason City, Iowa. He had many fond memories of the early childhood days on the farm.
When the family moved to Sibley, Iowa, he graduated from high school there in 1965. He then graduated from Augustana College in 1970. He was immediately drafted into the army. Although his induction was by chance, not choice, he proudly served as a medic in Korea. Upon discharge, he enrolled in College of St. Mary in Omaha, Nebraska, and earned a degree in Health Information Administration.
He was employed at St. Luke’s Hospital in Sioux, Iowa, as Director of Medical Records. He then joined the staff at the North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, North Dakota, as the program director of the Health Information Program.
In 1999, he married Carolyn Linnell and they moved to Fargo, North Dakota. They loved travel and made trips to Australia, Europe, and Canada. They also loved hot air ballooning and for years served as the ground crew at the Medora Balloon Festival.
After attending the hot air balloon festival in Albuquerque, New Mexico, they visited the Sun River Retirement Community in St. George, Utah, and decided to buy a house there. For the past 10 years they have been “snow birds”.
He is preceded in death by his parents and grandparents. He leaves a sister, Angelynn Dolan (Robert) and brother, Scott (Judy) and wife, Carolyn. Brian was step father to Lisa Linnell (Charles) and Justin Linnell (Jennifer). He was also step grandfather to Isaac Linnell, Kaylee Linnell, Riley Linnell, Evan Linnell, and Esme Nielson. He also had numerous nieces and nephews.
He now rests in peace beside his parents at Elk Creek Lutheran Cemetery in Northwood, Iowa. Brian was a proud Viking!
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