Avis E. Gard

Avis Gard, 82, passed away on October 18, 2024 at Lakewood Health Center in Baudette, Minnesota.  

Avis Elaine Modin was born on May 5, 1942 in Grand Forks, North Dakota to Andrew and Ethel Modin.  Due to the untimely passing of her mother during childbirth, Avis was raised by her father with the assistance of their extended family, especially her two aunts Freda and Vera, in Alvarado, MN.  Growing up she enjoyed spending time on the Modin family farm and at their cabin on Pine Lake.  

In 1960, Avis graduated from Alvarado High School and went on to study at Aakers Business College in Grand Forks, ND.  In May of 1961 she was united in marriage to Wendell Lindberg and they had two children, Brian Duane and Dawn Joanne.  The family split their time between the family farm in Alvarado, MN and their winter home in Pennington, MN.  

On August 26, 1988 she married James (Jim) Gard at their house on the hill in Pennington, MN and gained two step-daughters, Shelly and Tanya.  In the years following, the house on the hill was the sight of many family gatherings and was always the place to be to celebrate the holidays.  It is fondly remembered as being the place to stop for homemade popcorn balls on Halloween, Easter egg rolls with the grandchildren, and elaborate Christmas light displays.  

Avis and Jim spent the majority of their married life in Pennington, MN where they enjoyed spending time and hosting gatherings with their many friends and neighbors.  Avis took particular pride in tending to their beautiful yard and gardens.  Avis spent the majority of her working career at Anderson Fabrics in Blackduck, MN mastering the crafts of upholstery and window furnishings.  

Avis had many hobbies throughout the years including fishing, bowling, knitting and playing the piano.  However, one of her biggest passions was supporting her Minnesota sports teams.  Avis was a huge supporter of the Twins and the Vikings and was often found sporting apparel to match.  One of Avis’s fondest memories was when her family took her to her first Twins game in 2012 to celebrate her 70th birthday.  

In 2017, Avis and Jim made the difficult decision to sell their house on the hill.  They moved to Little Falls, MN where they had the opportunity to spend more time with Tanya and Shelly, Kevin and grandsons, Lucas and Benjamin.  Avis lived in Little Falls until January of 2023 when she moved to the Lakewood Care Center in Baudette, MN to be closer to Dawn and her family.  

Avis is survived by son, Brian Lindberg of Pennington; daughter, Dawn (Kent) Christianson of Baudette; step-daughters, Shelly (Kevin) Sowada of Little Falls and Tanya Gard of Little Falls; grandchildren, Bethany (Nick) Zak, Brenda (Jesse) Bakken, Deidra McFarland, Aubrey Lindberg, Lindsay (Jordan) Weis, Lucas Sowada, and Benjamin Sowada; 10 great grandchildren; and sister-in-law Mary Beth (Keith) Benson.  

Avis was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew and Ethel Modin; husband, Jim Gard; aunts, Freda Thompson and Vera Smith; father and mother-in-law, Henry (Hank) and Grace Gard and brother-in-law Bruce Gard.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Lakewood Care Center for their compassionate care during Avis's final two years.

A service to celebrate Avis's life will be held on Friday, October 25, 2024, at First Lutheran Church in Baudette, Minnesota at 11 AM, with visitation starting an hour prior to service.  Burial will be held at Camp Ripley in Little Falls, Minnesota at a later date.

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