2023 Vol 17, Issue 3 May Gem Lake News

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Gem Lake News Page 5 of 6 Two Noteworthy Souls Leave Us Two very noteworthy people who had an impact on Gem Lake have passed away. One was a long-time resident who served on the Gem Lake Planning Commission, another was an individual who worked at a Gem Lake business for over 60 years. Dick Garner White Bear Floral recently lost a beloved member of their team with the passing of Richard “Dick” Garner. Dick started his career with the floral shop when they were looking for help in 1958. In his 65-year career there, Dick did literally everything, rarely missed a day of work and helped build the shop into what it is today, according to owner John Birkeland. He was still working every day almost until the day he died at age 86. Dick was born in 1936 and grew up on a farm in the White Bear area. He was the oldest of nine children. Dick began working at the age of 14 for Gem Lake’s first mayor, Henry Hoffman, doing construction work. When he began his job at White Bear Floral, he became a much needed “jack-of-all-trades.” Dick did everything from flocking Christmas trees, starting bedding plants, making holiday wreaths, waiting on customers, and taking charge of “back-room operations.” He loved to work and almost never deviated from his full work-day. This February, he apologized profusely for missing out on some of the Valentine’s Day work. Few realized how ill he was. According to John Birkeland, “Dick was a godsend. Just what we needed at the time. Along with my Mom and Dad and my Aunt Esther, he helped to build the operation into what you see around you today. He was a fixture, a teacher, and such a hard worker.” Dick died of natural causes on February 17. He is survived by a son and two daughters, as well as two brothers and two sisters, nine nieces and nephews, three grandchildren, three great grandchildren and many friends. A very well attended Celebration of Life was held in his honor at White Bear Floral. He will be greatly missed. David Kenneth Gardner David Gardner was a resident of Gem Lake for decades and also had a home in Tucson, Arizona, where he spent most winters in recent years. David was born in 1940 in Huron, South Dakota and graduated from Harvard College in 1962. He was known as a brilliant man and enjoyed a 31 year career in Institutional Equity Sales for Merrill Lynch, where he demonstrated a passion for financial investments. He was also known as an avid outdoorsman and lover of nature. He enjoyed roaming the outdoors with his beloved dogs. He had an innate curiosity and was a student of everything, according to friend and former Gem Lake city clerk, Fritz Magnuson. “I am proud to have had him as a friend.” David was the chairman of Gem Lake’s Planning Commission in the 1990’s. He came in after Judson Bemis and before Jack Hoeschler, both of whom also chaired the Planning Commission, according to Fritz. He provided much needed guidance on beginning to plan for future growth. Dick passed away last September and is survived by his wife of 61 years, Leslie Gardner, as well as a son and daughter and two grandchildren. Neighbors remember him as a warm and wonderful person, full of interesting knowledge and a love of nature.