The Life of WILLARD RAY GARRED
Willard Garred, 92, died on November 30, 2007 at Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines. He was born in Los Angeles, CA, on June 24, 1915, to Ray and Olivia Frederiksen Garred. From the ages of 10 to 22 he lived in Copenhagen, Denmark. Returning to the U.S., he graduated from Grand View College and Grand View Lutheran Seminary. He was ordained in Minneapolis in 1943. He served churches in Mainstee, Michigan; Hartford, Connecticut; Denmark, Kansas; and Hampton, Durant, and Essex, Iowa. As Secretary of the American Evangelic Lutheran Church, he helped plan the merger which resulted in the Lutheran Church in America. He retired from the ministry in 1980 and moved to Luther Park Apartments in Des Moines. Willard enjoyed teaching and translating Danish. Willard was also interested in Genealogy which resulted in his writing and publication of two books of family history. In May 1944, he married Arlene Holmes at Luther Memorial Church in Des Moines. Willard is survived by Arlene, his wife of 63 years, and their five children: Laura (Bill) Hemmes of Waverly, IA; Allan (Leslie) Garred of Lafayette, LA; Peggy Hines of Iowa City, IA; Melanie (Karl) Kopperud of Palmer, AK; Rose (John) Walter of Shenandoah, IA; 11 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Willard’s body has been donated to Des Moines University. A memorial service will be held at Luther Memorial Church on Saturday, December 22, 2007 at 2:30 p.m.. Memorials may be given to Luther Memorial Church or Luther Services.