TOLEDO- Harry Gardner Jr., age 80, of Toledo, died on Wednesday, July 12, 2006 in Marshalltown Medical & Surgical Center under the care of Iowa River Hospice following a short illness. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, July 17, 2006 at 10:30 AM at Christ United Methodist Church Worship Center in Toledo with Pastor Mary Schnepf officiating. Interment will be at Eicher Cemetery in rural Wayland, Iowa at 3:00 PM Monday. Visitation will be Sunday, July 16, 2006 from 1-8 PM at the Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama. The family will be present from 4-8 PM. There will be a Masonic Service at 8 PM at the funeral home.
Harry Gardner Jr. was born on February 23, 1926, in Wellman, Iowa, the son of Harry Sr. and Bertha Emde Gardner.
He graduated from North English High School in 1944. He attended and graduated from Coyne Electric School in Chicago. Harry served in the United States Navy during World War II. On October 23, 1945 he married Myrtle Freyenberger in Moline, Illinois. Harry and Myrtle had just celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary. Harry worked as a lineman for Iowa Electric. After his retirement from I,E, Harry became a licensed Realtor and worked for Appraisal and Real Estate Services of Iowa for over 15 years. Harry served as the mayor of Toledo for 14 years and also served on the city council. He was presently serving his third term as a member of the council. He was a member of Christ United Methodist Church in Toledo. Harry was a very active member of the Tama-Toledo community and was involved in several organizations including Iowa State Realtor Association, Tama-Toledo Lions Club, Tama County Shrine Club where he was a 32nd degree shriner, Toastmasters, Tama-Toledo Country Club, Toledo American Legion Reining-Fredrich Post #72, and Hiram of Tyre Lodge A.F. & A.M. where he was past Master. Harry helped to found the annual Toledo 5K run in 1992 and helped organize the event each year since. The race was recently named in his honor.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Kathleen Calvin.
Survivors include his wife Myrtle of Toledo; one son, Harry III (Jean) Gardner of Marshalltown; twin daughters, Janet Gardner of San Diego, CA and Jean Gardner of Istanbul, Turkey; two grandsons, Harry IV (Amy) Gardner of Littleton, CO and Richard (Kelly) Gardner of Robins; three granddaughters, Jennifer (Tony) Kasal of Tama, Jodi (Howe) Siegel of Inver Grove Heights, MN and Julie (Adam) Schneider of New Hope, MN; seven great-grandchildren; three brothers, Wayne (Goldie) Gardner of Iowa City, Francis (Mildred) Gardner of Stoughton, WI, and Burrell (Connie) Gardner of Toledo; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial fund has been established.