Derald Leroy Gardner

July 31, 1943 - November 8, 2019

Derald Leroy Gardner, 76, of Spirit Lake passed away peacefully on Friday, November 8, 2019 at his home surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 16, 2019 at the United Methodist Church in Spirit Lake. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. of Friday at the Schuchert-Lentz Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Burial will take place in the Lakeview Cemetery in Spirit Lake. Derald was born on July 31, 1943 to Harry “Bill” and Kathryn (Johnson) Gardner. He attended Montgomery and Spirit Lake Schools. He was united in marriage to Edwina Thompson on September 16, 1962 at the Montgomery United Methodist Church. Derald worked for many years as a delivery driver for A&C Farms. He also ran projectors for the Royal Theater and Drive Inns. In his spare time, Derald enjoyed fishing, and looked forward every April to heading out to Marble Beach Campground where he and Edwina were the campground hosts for many years. His highlight was walking around the campground meeting new people and sharing his numerous jokes with them. The highlight of any day for Derald was spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. His eyes would light up when every one of them was with him. Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 57 years Edwina Gardner of Spirit Lake; children Robin Gardner of Spirit Lake; Jodi (Danny) Frerichs of Estherville; Wade Gardner of Spirit Lake; and Candy (Trevor) Hendershot of Lake Park; grandchildren Jamie Williams, Ashley Janssen, Nicole Southworth, Derek Halquist, Wyatt Gardner, and Charlie Gardner; 13 great grandchildren; brother Dallas (Patricia) Gardner of Platteville, WI; sister Collen Kahler of Nebraska and Twin sister Donna (Mark) Church of Freemont, NE. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Evelyn, brothers Marvin, Russell, Letcher and Wayne, and 4 siblings at birth.