Cora Grace Gard, age 92 of Lincoln, NE and a former Atlantic resident, died on Monday, July 11, 2022, at The Waterford Care Facility in Lincoln. She was born the daughter of Otto and Alma (Paxson) Mortensen on June 13, 1930, in Coon Rapids, IA. She attended the Viola Center rural school till the 5th grade. The family moved to Anita, IA in 1940, and she would graduate from the Anita High School in 1947, then go on to attend State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Grace taught school for 3 years around Anita. On October 18, 1953, Grace was united in marriage to Orville Gard, and were married over 64 years. She worked at JC Penny Co in Atlantic, before moving to Ames, IA in 1965, and working for Mary Greeley Medical Center for over 17 years. They moved back to Atlantic, and she worked over 8 years for DeLong’s and then retired in 1998 to her home SE of Atlantic.
Grace was a member of the Methodist Church since 1950, belonged to the NGA Club for many years, and the Cass County Hospital Auxiliary. She so loved to travel, and did so to over 45 states, Canada, and Mexico. Had a love for sewing, cooking, walking, gardening, bird watching, singing, and putting puzzles together with Orville.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Orville; sisters, Helen Bancroft, Agnes Kaufman, Bea Suplee, and June Haley; and a brother, Charles Mortensen. Grace is survived by her son, Douglas (Lisa) Gard of Denton, NE; grandchildren, James (Sheila) Gard of Omaha, NE and Kyle (Hannah Teeples) Gard of Missoula, MT; great grandchildren, Aubreigh Russi, Ashley Gard, Sienna Russi, Rylan Gard, Ryker Gard and Luna Hansen; 2 sisters, Norma Burnham and Karen (Bob) Kaiser; and many more cousins, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am, Saturday, July 16, 2022, at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Atlantic, IA with Rev. Dan Weibesiek officiating and burial to follow at the Atlantic Cemetery. Visitation with the family present will be held on Friday, July 15, 2022, from 6 to 8 pm at the funeral home. The Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Atlantic is caring for the Gard family at this time and condolences can be sent at: schmidtfamilyfuneralhomes.com
