Gardell was born July 29, 1938, to Vernon and Glayd (Sampson) Marti of rural Sleepy Eye. He was the oldest brother of Carol and Mark. He attended country school and graduated from Sleepy Eye High School in 1956. He was confirmed in his faith at Faith United Methodist Church and was a life-long member. Gardell was drafted into the United States Army in September of 1961, where he served as a Military Police Officer. He met Mary Mae Hieronymus in 1962 when he was stationed in the Army at Fort McCoy, WI and they were married on May 4, 1963, in Junction City, Kansas. After his active duty, Gardell and Mary returned home to Sleepy Eye where he was able to pursue his true passions of farming and nature. They moved to the homeplace on February 29, 1965, and together they raised three children, Mitze, Dell and Gina, and honestly along with many relatives and others who were always welcome. Besides crop farming and raising livestock, Gardell also worked at the Sleepy Eye Auction Market, was a truck driver for Del Monte, did various jobs with BCA, Krienke Brothers Turkey Farms, Care Cab, Custom Carriers, and Pork Storks, in addition to logging.
Farming taught Gardell to be a “make do” sort of guy and he, in turn, taught his children, along with countless others, that most things could be fixed with some duct tape, wire, and twine, along with creative ingenuity. In addition to farming, he loved all things about nature and appreciated watching the sun rise and sun set. He was very grounded in both nature and in spirit. He also loved animals, hunting, history, and fishing with his kids and grandkids. He cherished walks in nature and by the river.
Gardell cared for, and about, those around him. He quietly went about life looking out for and helping others in ways both known and unknown, never wanting recognition and always willing to be a part of the solution. He was hard-working and true to his word. A man of few words, he spoke up when he felt it necessary and always had the best interest of others in mind. A selfless man who showed others there was always a way to solve a problem and giving up was never an option, his generosity and love for others knew no boundaries. Gardell loved his family more than anything and reserved Sundays for family time. He was an amazing husband, dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa. Gardell’s calming presence, unwavering support, and kind and generous heart will be profoundly missed.
Gardell is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Mae (Hieronymus) Marti; daughter, Mitze Marti (Keven Hofmann) of New Ulm and their son Wyatt Hofmann; son, Dell (Cindy) Marti of Sleepy Eye and their children Jamie (Tristan) Pietig, Hannah (Shane) Minor, Natalie Marti and McCoy Marti; daughter, Gina (Wayne) Nienhaus of Sleepy Eye and their children Kolten Nienhaus, Martina Nienhaus (fiancé Carter Lloyd), Winsten Nienhaus and Carsten Nienhaus; great-grandson, Reign Pietig; brother, Mark Marti; and many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, and many cousins.
He was preceded in death by a daughter in infancy, Tina Marie Marti on February 6, 1964; parents, Vernon and Glayd (Sampson) Marti; sister, Carol Hinderman, and many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, and cousins.