Gareth Henningsgaard

Gareth Arden Henningsgaard was born March 10, 1944 at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX, the son of Russell and Evelyn (Rounds) Henningsgaard. Gareth grew up in Rockford, IL and on the farm in Alexandria, MN. He graduated from Jefferson High School in Alexandria in 1962. Gareth then attended the University of Minnesota at Morris and then Brown Institute where he studied to be an electronics technician. Gareth began working for Bell Telephone in Grand Forks, ND. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served aboard the destroyer USS Strong. In the Navy he worked as a Petty Officer, E5 as an electronics specialist. He served one year in Vietnam. Prior to his discharge, Gareth earned the following medals: National Defense Service Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. Gareth returned to Grand Forks and Bell Telephone. Gareth met his wife in Grand Forks and on July 31, 1971 he was united in marriage to Shirley Pecka. The couple was blessed with four children. Gareth was transferred to Devils Lake as a regional manager and moved to Grafton, ND in 1978. While in Grafton he also worked as the head engineer of KXPO radio. In 1983 the telephone company transferred Gareth to the Twin Cities. He made his home in Stillwater, MN and worked in St. Paul. Shortly afterwards he was transferred to the headquarters in the US West Building in downtown Minneapolis. At this point Gareth was involved in research and development for US West. In April, 1992 Gareth?s beloved wife, Shirley passed away from breast cancer at the age of 39 years. Gareth retired in 1994 from US West. He began working for Sentry Systems, a security and alarm provider. Gareth retired completely in 2003. Gareth was a member of the American Legion and the National Rifle Association. Gareth always enjoyed flying; he held a private and commercial pilot?s license. Gareth also enjoyed fishing and hunting. He collected guns and jokes. He loved telling jokes and making people laugh. Gareth like spending time with his children and grandchildren. He loved telling old Native American stories to his grandchildren. He was also a fan of John Wayne and western movies. He was always involved in learning, collecting knowledge and improving himself. Most important to Gareth was time with his family. On Monday, February 1, 2010 Gareth died at the age of sixty-five years. He was preceded in death by his wife Shirley and mother, Evelyn. Gareth is survived by his four children, Jacob and wife, Elaine, of Crystal, MN, Jordan of Stillwater, Jennifer Kordiak and husband, Jessie, of Hinckley, MN and Janessa Wasieleski and husband, Scott, of Lake Elmo, MN; ten grandchildren, Christina, Angela, Johnny, Brian, Amber-Rose, Brett, Keith, Alexis, Salena and Adrian; his father, Russell Henningsgaard, Sr. of Alexandria; his brother, Russell Henningsgaard, Jr. of Alexandria; and three sisters, Deanna McCabe, and husband, John, of Alexandria, Sharon Clifford and husband, George, of Phoenix, AZ and Susan Moore and husband, Virgil, of Phoenix. A funeral service was held Friday, February 5, 2010 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Reverend Mark Astrup officiated. Interment will be at a later date in St. Mark?s Cemetery in Conway, ND. Honorary pallbearers included Scott Clifford, Russell Henningsgaard, Sr., Russell Henningsgaard, Jr., Jordan Henningsgaard, Jacob Henningsgaard, Gabe Henningsgaard, Jessie Henningsgaard, Jason Henningsgaard, Sara Torrence, Nathan McCabe, Kali McCabe, Riley McCabe and Scott Wasieleski. Arrangements were with Anderson Funeral Home.