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Mike Gard (Papa) beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, and friend died peacefully at home on Wednesday, March 1, 2023.  Mike was born January 20, 1936, in Los Angeles, California to Ruby Eleanor McAfee Gard and Samuel Arthur Gard. 

Mike lived his life loving and giving to God, his family, his church, and his community.  He proudly served his country in the US Air Force.  While stationed in Spokane, Washington he met his "best friend," Kathleen Marie Larson Gard, to whom he was married for over 61 years.

Mike and Kathy began their married lives in 1961 in Seattle, Washington where Mike embarked upon his career as a civil servant for the federal government and began living and sharing his Catholic faith as an adult leader for the CYO.  

In 1970, Mike moved his family, which now included three children, Lisa, Sharon, and Patrick, to Columbus, Mississippi.  Mike was an active member of the Lion's Club International in Columbus for over 18 years.  He continued sharing his faith as a CYO leader for several years and later in Detention Ministries.

Mike and Kathy moved back to "God's Country", better known as the Pacific Northwest, to Lacey, Washington and in 1989 he continued his service in Detention Ministry in Shelton and Thurston County.  He was a Master Gardener for over 20 years.   As a 4-H leader, he established the Margaret Ann Larson Memorial 4-H Garden Club.   Mike served as a Eucharistic minister, prepared and presided over weekly Liturgy of the Word services with distribution of the Eucharist at Olympics West Retirement Community in Olympia for 20 years, was an officer in the Legion of Mary and, in 2013, became a member of the Secular Franciscan Order.

Mike’s other loves were gardening, fishing, reading, and more than anything, being a grandfather.  He was an amazing, wonderful, loving grandfather who spent about 20 years taking individual grandchildren, nieces, or nephews on "play days" with Papa.  Once the kids were old enough to choose or indicate a preference, they were in charge (mostly) of the fun activities and where they would go for lunch, and would often include a requested sibling, cousin, classmate, or friend in the fun.  Outings with Papa could include trips to the Children's Museum, YMCA, a local park or playground, zoos, beaches, or just about anywhere else his little charges’ hearts desired.  Play days typically culminated in a sleep-over with Grandma and Grandpa before returning home.

Mike was preceded in death by his beloved son, Patrick, whom we are certain met him at the gates of heaven, along with other family members, fishing poles in hand and enough pogey bait to keep their strength up, just in case the fish weren't biting, always ready to kick back for a nice visit.

Mike is survived by his wife Kathy, daughters Lisa Bartley and Sharon Gard, daughter-in-law Debby Gard, son-in-law Michael Bartley; grandchildren Whitt Schwalenberg and his wife Angie, Taylor Pruett and her husband Drew, Larson Bartley, Mikaela Bartley, Sean Bartley, Brian Bartley, and Gabriel Wylder; great-grandchildren Madalyn Schwalenberg, Emmy Pruett, Patrick Pruett, and Liam Wylder; sister-in-law Nancy Lowell and her husband Dick, brother-in-law Jerry Pike, brother-in-law Will Larson and his wife Esther, brother-in-law Tom Larson and his wife Rosanne, and many nieces and nephews. 

Our family is eternally grateful for the wonderful care and love given to our Dad by Jovy, Shawna, and Clyde.  

A viewing will be held at Woodlawn Funeral Home in Lacey, WA on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM.

The Funeral Service will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lacey, WA on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at 10:30 AM. 

The time and date for the internment at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and Cemetery in Marysville will be posted as soon as determined.