Leonard Gardner

Leonard Bernell "Bernie" Gardner, 87, of Minnetonka, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 2, 2025.

Born and raised in Fairview, Montana to parents Leonard Henry "Happy" and Anna Mabel Peterson Gardner, Bernie was a Boys State representative and went on to attend the School of Mines in Butte, Montana. He graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, in 1961. He later earned his Master of Science in Teaching through a National Science Foundation scholarship program in Grand Forks, North Dakota, where he was also part of the inaugural faculty at Red River High School.

Bernie was married to his beloved wife of 63 years, Sharon Marie Wiseman Gardner, formerly of Fargo, North Dakota. They met at Concordia College, where Bernie was a chemistry lab assistant in Sharon's class. It was truly "chemistry" for both of them.

Bernie dedicated his career to both education and community impact. He taught science with enthusiasm and integrity in Climax, Dilworth, and Chatfield, Minnesota. He later taught as an adjunct professor at Williston State College. In addition to his work in the classroom, he led Sunday school classes and Luther League groups, coached sports, and served as a Lutheran Brotherhood Unit Advisor-organizing volunteers and ensuring grant support reached underserved communities across North Dakota and Montana. He also served as a lay minister, filling pulpits in rural churches without full-time pastors, offering not just sermons, but presence and hope.

Bernie was a man of both God and science, who lived his values quietly and fully. He loved reading, music, and singing in the church choir. He found joy in gardening, sports, a good laugh, a cold beer, and a meticulously organized garage. One of his most faithful and private practices was writing in his prayer journal-a quiet place where he brought his thoughts, gratitude, questions, and hopes before God, day after day.

Bernie's superpower was encouragement. He had a gift for making others feel appreciated-with a kind word, a gentle joke, or a handwritten note. He taught his children compassion, a strong work ethic, and how to keep your head up and do the right thing-even when life isn't fair.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon; three children-Leonard (Irja) Gregory, Ann (John) Piepkorn, and Wade Dayle (Amber); eight wonderful grandchildren-Che'Ante, Jarrell, Trevor, Anders, Gunnar, Colton, Brecca, and Declan; and younger brother, Jerry (Sharon) Gardner and his family.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Oak Knoll Lutheran Church in Minnetonka, MN. Visitation one hour prior. The service will be livestreamed at this link. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to a charity of your choice-such as Parkinson's research, Concordia College science scholarships, or your local food bank-something that helps others.

His was a life well-lived and deeply loved. He will be missed, remembered, and carried forward by all who were lucky enough to know him.