Frank Gardner

Frank R. Gardner September 22, 1930  September 14, 2009

Frank R. Gardner of Staples, Minnesota passed away unexpectedly on Monday, September 14 in Baudette, Minnesota.

Frank Raymond Gardner was born on September 22, 1930 in Nevada, Iowa to Glen and Nellie (Moorehead) Gardner. As a child he moved with the family to the farm at Pine River, Minnesota. He was a 1948 graduate of Pine River High School. He entered the United States Army in 1951, serving his country in Japan. He was honorably discharged in 1954 with the rank of Staff Sergeant.

He married Loretta Kline on July 30, 1955 in Pine River. They moved to Fargo, where Frank attended the School of Pharmacy at North Dakota State University, graduating in 1959. Shortly after, the family moved to Morris, Minnesota, where Frank worked at Johnson Rexall Drug. In 1968, he purchased Staples Rexall Drug store in Staples, Minnesota, which he and Loretta operated until they retired in 2001.

Frank enjoyed the outdoors and loved to hunt and fish, and enjoyed his time at the cabin on Lake of the Woods. He also enjoyed gardening, woodworking, feeding birds, and doing odd jobs around the house. He was a private pilot for many years. He flew out of the Staples airport, and attained his instrument rating.

Frank was a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, a member of the American Legion, and a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Staples.

He is survived by his wife, Loretta, a son, Steven (Kelly) of Willmar, Minnesota; his daughter, Sharon (Rodney) Haug of Hawley, Minnesota; his grandsons, Daniel, Christopher and Evan Haug of Hawley; his granddaughter Misty (Anthony) Nelson of Willmar, and two great-grandsons, Isaac and Kael Nelson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Arlene, brother Maynard, and son Scott.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 on Thursday at Brenny Funeral Chapel in Staples, with services at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 18 at Faith Lutheran Church in Staples. There will be visitation at the church one hour prior to the service, with a gravesite service to follow at Evergreen Hill Cemetery in Staples.

Arrangements are with Brenny Funeral Home of Staples.