Mary A. Gardeen
Posted By Ballard Sunder Funeral Home On December 30, 2021 @ 2:40 pm In 2021,Obituaries | 21 Comments
Mary A. Gardeen, age 71 of Burnsville, entered eternity with her Lord Jesus on Tuesday, December 28, 2021. A visitation will be Monday, January 3, 2022 from 4-7PM at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home: 4565 Pleasant St. SE., Prior Lake. A Celebration of Life Service will be Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at 11AM with a visitation 1-hour prior at Trinity Church: 10658 210th St W, Lakeville, MN. Pastors Trent Treimer and Phil Holcomb will preside, and pallbearers will be Mary’s grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorials will be distributed by Mary’s family to ministries important to Mary.
On November 9, 1950 at the Swedish Hospital in Minneapolis, MN, parents Gordon and Lorraine (Swanson) Ahlquist celebrated the birth of their first daughter, Mary Ann Ahlquist. Growing up in Robbinsdale, Mary was blessed with loving parents, siblings, and grandparents, as well as a large and close extended family on both sides. During Mary’s senior year at Minnehaha Academy, she was faced with an unexpected hardship—the death of her mother. This formative moment cemented Mary’s faith, love of family, and direction for her future ministry.
Choosing to remain home to care for her father and younger siblings, Mary enrolled at the University of Minnesota for her freshman year. She then transferred to Gustavus Adolphus for a year before completing her nursing degree in residence at Bethesda Hospital in Saint Paul. Mary approached all aspects of her life intentionally and wholeheartedly, whether it was her work as a nurse or her role as a wife, mother, and grandmother.
On March 25, 1972, Mary was united in marriage to Gary Gardeen. Their love story began years before, having met at First Covenant Church in their childhood. They were blessed with almost 50 years of marriage, and Mary had looked forward to celebrating that milestone with her family.
Mary had a servant’s heart. Her life was defined by her faith, and she followed God’s path wherever it led. After completing her studies at Gustavus, Mary worked as a public health nurse for Beltrami County before continuing her education at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Illinois. During this time, Mary and Gary were blessed with their first son, Andrew.
In May of 1977, following recovery from a serious car accident, Mary and Gary were accepted as missionaries by World Radio Missionary Fellowship, Inc. for service at Hospital Vozandes in Quito, Ecuador. This time was filled with abundance—their family grew with the birth of twins, Jonathan and David, just five months after arriving in Ecuador. Mary embraced her role as a mother in a new culture reaching out to her neighbors in a new language. Following their first term of service, son Stephen was born on Mother’s Day of 1980 in Minneapolis, MN.
Compassionate, kind, and always desiring to share Jesus and His word with others: Mary had an impact on those around her. She encouraged others in their own relationship with God, especially through sharing scripture and leading Bible studies. Through the years, Mary’s nursing experience was invaluable as she started and developed a home health care program, a patient representative program, and a gift shop run by hospital volunteers.
In June of 2000, the family returned to the United States. While it was a time of transition, Mary knew God would provide her with new opportunities. She embraced being the Parish Nurse at First Covenant Church, a role that reunited her with the community of her childhood.
Mary leaves her family with a legacy of faith, hope, and love. She is deeply missed by her husband, Gary; sons: Andrew (Natasha) Gardeen, Jonathan (Lisa) Gardeen, David (Linsey) Gardeen, Stephen (Alison) Gardeen; grandchildren: Isaiah, Elijah, Samuel, Anna, Dennis, Jonah, Elias, Ethan, Luke, Amos, Axel; siblings: John (Peggy) Ahlquist, Marti Ahlquist, Mark (Carol) Ahlquist, Sara (Marlin) Gross; other loving relatives and close friends.
Mary is reunited in Heaven with her father, Gordon; mother, Lorraine Ahlquist; mom, Ethel Ahlquist.
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Dear Gary and Family,
we are very sorry to hear, that Mary is gone for ever.
It is hard for us and for you to believe how soon she went to be with her Lord. Her fight is over, she is save with Jesus. We´re perplex and wondering what next. We thank you and Mary for your good example of family life, marriage and missionary life. Thank you for all the wonderful hospitality and loving and caring time of Mary.
She was a very special person to us and will live in our memories. Thanks for your interest in the Shell Hospital,
Eckehart and Klaudia Wolff
We are sorry to hear of Mary’s homegoing. She was a gifted teacher and care giver to all. Our sympathy to all of you. Marlin and Marlene Edwards
So very sorry to hear of your loss. We know Mary is safe with Jesus and in her real home now, but the loss for you and your precious family, Gary, is still hard to bear. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Karen and Ross.
Gary:
I am so sorry to hear about Mary’s passing. I have no doubt that the Lord will receive her as His good and faithful servant. She was one of a kind in her lifelong devotion to the Lord and his service.
Querido Gary e hijos:
Acabamos de enterarnos del fallecimiento de Mary nos ha causado un inmenso dolor. Reciban nuestra solidaridad y amor
Rebeca, Lucho e hijos
We are so sorry for the loss of this beautiful and godly woman. Her legacy continues in all of you and you are in our prayers! As you were all enriched by her presence, so now is heaven. Mary was marching toward that city her whole life. Blessings to you all and we pray you find truth and perspective in this great loss that makes your paths ahead clearer!
I’m so sorry to hear that Mary has passed away. May the God of all comfort provide comfort to you all.
Gary and family – I am so very sorry for your loss. I have not gotten to know you well while I have lived at Windemere but Mary was always so kind to me, especially when we had an extended talk this past fall. It was remarkable to me that though she barely knew me, I felt that she loved me. I’m sure that is just a glimpse of the wonderfully loving and giving person she was, and how great is your loss.
I always felt better when you two were at home in Windemere, right through the backyard from me. I will miss Mary too, and I offer you and your family any support and comfort I can possibly provide.
God’s blessings on all of you. Maren Swanson
Gary and family,
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of Mary, beloved servant of our Lord! We are praying for all of you.
It’s still difficult to accept, that Mary will not return to Ecuador in the next days, as intended, sharing an office with me, starting together the new mentoring cycle with Latin American Missionaries and taking up again our regular prayer times for Latin American Missionaries around the world. Praying, for you, Gary, and for your family, as we remember Mary’s life, the many years of ministry, her hospitality, her smile and her love for Jesus and longing to see her again in the presence of our Lord. My heartfelt condolences.
I remember Mary all the way back to my childhood. Always kind and caring for others. Mary and Gary have long partnered in our ministry among refugees, impacting many lives of people they have never met. When we returned from 23 years in Austria, Mary and Gary gave us really important wisdom. “Expect the transition into US life to take at least 3 years.” It was both on the money and really helpful. I’ve shared it with many others relocating to the US over the years. We are grateful too for how Gary and Mary encouraged Donna to apply to work at Covenant Living, where she continues to work today. May God comfort you all as you mourn her passing.
My deepest sympathy Gary on the Home-going of sweet Mary. The 2 of you were a great team and gave of yourselves so effectively for God’s glory. Our years at 1st Covenant were so enriched by the Ahlquists and the Gardeens. Heaven is growing more inviting all the time. God bless, Jean Larsen
Dear Gary, John, Marti, Mark, Sara, and extended families-
Please know that I am praying for the Gardeen and Ahlquist families each day as you have had to say an “earthly goodbye” to Mary. She was such a dear person and godly woman. I mentioned to John and Marti that she reminded me so much of their mother, Lorraine. Mary displayed the Fruit of the Spirit and was such a living witness for Jesus Christ.
Seeing a loved one depart brings sorrow, However, we know that it is not a permanent separation, as we will be united together in Christ when it is time for each of us to pass from this life in to the glorious presence of God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,…to Whom be glory forever and ever. AMEN.
Gary and family,
My heart goes out to you in the loss of your loved one. We have a faithful God who will supply all of our needs. I will continue to pray for you.
We are so sorry for the loss of your wife, mom, sister and grandma. She has left a huge hole in her family and her community. We were so blessed by Mary’s kindness and friendliness, and also her warm hospitality when y’all opened your home to Tim!! We are thankful that one day soon we will see her again, and have eternity to spend as friends. Gary and family, we are praying for healing and comfort for each of you. Love you guys!!!!
Dear Gary and family,
We were saddened and stunned to learn about Mary. You are all in our prayers for the peace and comfort that only the Lord you have served faithfully over the years can provide. You and Mary were so much a part of our story and ministry over the years and are so grateful for your friendship, love, prayers, example and support over the last 30+ years. Mary will be desperately missed by family, friends and other loved ones, but we rejoice with you that she is safely home and accomplished so much in the name of the Lord she loved and served so well. In His love, Mark & Marilyn Papierski
I am grieving here in Australia and so sorry to miss the funeral. I am extremely grateful for the heritage I have in the Ahlquist family, Mary being a pillar of faith in that tribe and a major influence in my life. God used her heart for the nations, her devotion to prayer and love for Jesus to inspire and shape me. What a wonderful gift. We will miss her and I can’t imagine coming home next month and not introducing Matt to her but send our love and condolences to you Gary, and the family.
Dear Gary and children,
My heart is mourning with y’all. And we’ve been praying especially for you Gary to be able to walk with the peace that our Lord Jesus already purchased for us in the Cross and by defeating death. I remember waving ¡hasta luego! to you and Mary after Sunday service at the backyard at EFC last year as you guys were preparing to fly to the States for a few weeks… I had suggested to our sweet Mary we would have coffee with Elaine (Childs), first thing on your way back… You never know when it’s gonna be the last time.
Heaven with our Savior’s our consolation- our very hope…!
Ruth Kazar
January 3, 2022
Praying for you and yours, Gary. Thank the Lord for you both. When I think of Mary, I recall especially being so blessed at 1st Covenant at a Bible study taught by her and of my being encouraged by both the co- parish nurses to volunteer with them. I did.
Got to know and love Mary after I retired as a RN and as we shared skills and faith.
Our love, thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
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Queridos amigos y familia Gardeen.
Con mucho dolor, los acompañamos en nuestros pensamientos por la despedida tan temprana de su esposa, madre, amiga y corazón de sus vidas. Mary deja lindas huellas en nuestras vidas. Les abrazamos y les cargamos en nuestro corazón.