Gordon L. Bard

Gordon L. Bard, 90, of Wakefield, Ne died on Friday, March 15, 2013 at the Pender Community Hospital in Pender, Nebraska. Funeral services for Gordon will be held on Monday, March 18, 2013 at 2:00 P.M. at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Wakefield; Pastor Kelly Johnston will be officiating. The visitation will be held on Sunday from 3:00 until 7:00 P.M. at the Bressler - Munderloh - Smith Funeral Home in Wakefield. The family will be present from 6:00 until 7:00 with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. Burial will be in the Wakefield Cemetery. Military honors will be presented by the Wakefield American Legion Post #81. Gordy was born on January 23, 1923 in Wakefield, Nebraska, the son of “Sally” (Carl Luther) and Mabel (Ring) Bard. He attended Wakefield Schools, graduating in 1942. On November 2, 1944, Gordy was united in marriage to Coreen Elizabeth Swanson at the Wakefield Evangelical Covenant Church. To this union two daughters were born Barbara and Jane. On December 17, 1944, soon after their marriage, Gordy entered the United States Army, where he served in the 77th Cavalry Regiment in the Philippines and Japan. He returned in 1946 and farmed near Wakefield for many years. Along with farming, Gordy worked maintenance at the Wakefield Hospital and the Wakefield Health Care Center for 19 years. Gordy was an active member of the Covenant Church serving as usher and trustee; he was also a 60 year member of the Anton Bokemper Unit 81. As a cancer survivor, he participated in many Relay for Life events. Anyone that knew Gordy knew he liked to tinker with everything. He was always looking for ways to simplify life. Gordy is survived by his wife of 68 years, Coreen, children Barbara and husband Jim Stout of Wakefield and Jane and husband Steve Steele of Norfolk, grandchildren: Heather (Sean) Auman, Alyson (Corey) Swartzendruber, Courtney(Tony) Weeder , Andrew (Sarah) Steele, Angie (Terry) Johnson, Susie (Bob) Rose, and Becky Stout. He is also survived by his great grandchildren Sydney, Teagan and Adyson Auman; Amity Swartzendruber; Paisley and Breckin Weeder; Alayna Steele, Kayla, Cody and Emily Johnson; Morgan, Evan, Austin and Hollie Rose; and a great great granddaughter Abrielle Johnson. He is also survived by his brother Dale Bard of Council Bluffs, Iowa and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Harley, and a great grandson Tobyn Swartzendruber.