George Gardner

George William Gardner, 94, died February 17, 2008, at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks. George was born in 1914, to Julia and George Gumlia in Crosby, MN. George was a high school graduate. For a time during the Depression, he rode the rails to the west coast looking for work, eventually returning to Minnesota. He married Alice Kyllingstad in 1938. George worked for Lampert Lumber in Wadena, MN, but in 1945 the family moved to Grand Forks where he managed Quirk Lumber Co. In 1965, he purchased the business and operated it as Gardner Lumber Co. until his retirement in 1982. George was a softball umpire for many years and also a team manager. He was President of the ND Amateur Softball Assn. from 1960-1966 and was inducted into that Hall of Fame in 1973. He belonged to the Builders & Traders Assn. until his death and was its President in 1961. George was the driving force and organizer of the Builders annual fishing trip to Canada and eagerly looked forward to it each year. George and his late wife, Alice, who passed away February 6, 2008, were longtime members of Wesley United Methodist Church. His many interests included gardening (the very best tomatoes), hunting (especially being in the blind by 5 a.m. for that first duck), fishing (only walleye will do), and UND Sioux Hockey (listening to a game just before his passing). George is survived by daughter, Sharon (Ralph) Block of Coldwater, MI; son, Terry (Donna) of Hackensack, MN; Vicki (Dale Muir) of Ashland, OR; his daughter, Nancy of Grand Forks; six grandchildren, Randy, Barrie, Tarrie Ann, Scott, Stacy and Debra and eight great-grandchildren; a sister, Maxine (Bob) Lowrey of Aitkin, MN. George was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Alice, his parents and six siblings. **In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Circle of Friends Humane Society of Grand Forks honoring the special bond between George and his much loved dog, Britt. FUNERAL SERVICES: 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 23, 2008, at Amundson Funeral home 2975 S. 42nd St. in Grand Forks, ND. VISITATION: One hour prior to the funeral service at Amundson Funeral Home. INURNMENT: Memorial Park Cemetery, Grand Forks, ND.