Jeff was a real nice guy. He always went fishing and was super friendly and fun to be around. He would always catch great fish. I would play basketball with him and my cousin in his driveway and he would play too. When me and my cousin score a point he would give us a fist bump and say good game to us no matter if he won or lost. He was always such a funny and friendly. To anyone he met he would always be kind. You will be remembered Jeffrey.
Emma Conway
July 10, 2025
Mr Gard was the best teacher I ever had. I helped him with class field trips for like last 10-15 years until he retired from Boone. Lost track after that but always in my thoughts. Blessed to know him
Steve Lind
July 6, 2025
Mr Gard was the best teacher I ever had. I helped him with class field trips for like last 10-15 years until he retired from Boone. Lost track after that but always in my thoughts. Blessed to know him
Steve Lind
July 2, 2025
Sad to hear one of my best teachers I had passing and condolences to the family of Mr. Gard! I was privilege to have him twice as a teacher in my elementary education in Boone, IA in the 90's. I remember playing catch with the football at recess and there would be a mob of kids running around trying to get his attention in order to get the ball thrown to them. i was so dedicated to get the ball thrown my way I did'nt even pay attention to where I was running and ran right into the swing set flipping me head over heals onto the ground. I remember Mr. Gard coming over top of me and asking me how many fingers he was holding up. I told him four when he was actually holding up two. He told me I was okay and we went off to playing catch again. The marble rewards was another memory, homemade ice cream at the park when practicing our fishing casting into hula hoops. The memories and the ethics he instilled into me as a young person has carried over into my adult hood and I can't be thankful enough for having him as a teacher! Rest in peace Mr. Gard and GO Bears and GO CYCLONES!
Tyler Lynch
June 23, 2025
I've known Jeff for over 40 years having attended the same church for many of those years. He led our worship service and had a beautiful singing voice. He was always a very Godly man. It shone on his face and mannerisms that his Lord was Lord of his life and he shared that with everyone.. What a wonderful Christian and teacher he was. I know he must have been smiling as he entered into Heaven as many greeted him for introducing Christ to them. A rare jewel....and good friend.
Lana Russell
June 19, 2025
My deepest sympathies to Jeff's family. I was another elementary teacher in Boone and I've heard many "Mr. Gard was my favorite teacher.", over the years. He was known for going out to recess to play football and basketball with his students. In his classroom, it was a special time if you got to free read in his Reading Bathtub. He was a respected colleague and you knew his students were learning what they should in his 2nd grade classroom. Jeff, I know you are at God's lake catching those big ones with a smile on your face. May you rest in peace, Mr. Gard.
Don Lester
June 18, 2025
Polly and family,
We are lifting you up in prayer during this difficult time and in the days ahead. Praise the Lord for our "blessed hope" and the gift of the "peace that passeth all understanding" we have through Him.
Nat and Jen Birochak
June 18, 2025
Our sympathies from the pharmacy staff at the Hy-Vee grocery store on Johnson Ave. He was a very kind man.
Becky Lutz
June 18, 2025
Jeff was a wonderful volunteer at Truman Elementary as he continued to share his love for teaching children, the outdoors, and sharing his light with staff and students there. He wrote enjoyable Christmas letters of many fishing events with his family, also a gardener while sharing his love of the outdoors.
My sincere condolences to his family, that I am sure will miss him and his gentle ways.
Tami Stephens
June 18, 2025
Jeff was my 2nd grade teacher at Lowell Elementary in Boone in 1980. That year left me with so many core memories—ones that still make me smile. I was lucky enough to return to his classroom during my senior year of high school as a student helper, and the magic was still there. I remember the reading bathtub, the math flash card contests with “the” stance, and playing Oregon Trail on the classroom computer with floppy disks. So many small moments that meant so much.
Jeff had a kind heart and a deep love for his students. His impact was real, and lasting. To his family—hold tight to your memories. Know that he touched the lives of hundreds of students, and made school a place where we felt safe, seen, inspired and created memories for a lifetime.
Christie Ahrens
June 18, 2025
Jeff was such a kind man, he meant so much to me and my family. I remember always playing basketball in his driveway with him and honestly it was the best time of my life. May jeffrey gard rest in peace. ❤️❤️❤️
Dakota Murray
June 17, 2025
Mr. Guard was my grandparents neighbor in Cedar Rapids. Growing up, he would take me and my brother fishing at Palo Lake, where we learned how to catch blue gill and largemouth bass during our summer breaks. His love for fishing was infectious. We quickly learned how to cast, bait a hook, tie the line, and land a fish due to his patience and teaching. I brought his teachings back to my home state of Maryland, where I still fish on the Chesapeake Bay for striped bass and perch. We were planning on doing the Cedar Rapids fishorama this summer and I was so excited to spend another day on the water with him, but when I learned of his diagnosis I knew we may have already had our last day of fishing together. His passing weighs so heavily on all of us. He lived his life caring for others and making the best out of each day all the way to the finish line. He will be dearly missed. I'll carry his fishing teachings through my life and someday I'll teach my kids the same way he taught me.
Michael Pratt
June 17, 2025
Mr. Gard was the best teacher: kind, smart, inclusive, etc. I was in his 2nd grade class for his 2nd year of teaching in 1975. May your family feel love and peace at this time. The world is a little bit less bright.
Wendee Lewis
June 17, 2025
Mr. Gard was my 2 grade teacher, he was one of the best. Loved the pinatas we made. He always made school work fun. When I was senior in high school I returned and student taught with him. It was the best of times. Roll forward to when I had 4 kids of my own and he taught them as well. He was an amazing teacher and friend. I remember years ago I received a letter in the mail and knew instantly who wrote it. He found some pictures from when I student taught and returned them to me. It was such a kind gesture. I always remember him fondly. RIP Mr. Gard so happy that your not in pain anymore 💔
Denyese Madson Blunk
June 16, 2025
Polly, We Reger’s lived next door to you when you were very little. Jeff and I were 2 years old. Jeff was my first crush and he will always and forever be in my heart. I was shocked to hear of his diagnosis and the speed at which God called him home. No matter how difficult it is to bear the pain of parting, we have God’s promise that we will reunited. Polly, until you meet Jeff again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.
Sherry Stanbrough
June 16, 2025
Jeff came into my family’s lives when he taught our two children in fourth grade starting nearly twenty years ago and he was a constant influence to us ever since. The Lord gave us a wonderful gift of a truly good man and friend who always looked to make others’ lives better. It was a privilege and an honor to have gotten to know Jeff throughout all of our activities together over these years. Rest in peace my friend, we will never forget the lessons you taught all of us.
Scott Kiesel
June 16, 2025