Gwendolyn Joy (Miller) Caird

Gwendolyn J. Caird, age 84, of Kimball, died Monday, December 16, 2019 at the St. Cloud Hospital.

Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 20, 2019 at Kimball United Methodist Church with Pastor Ken Felska officiating. Burial will follow at the Kimball Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday and one hour prior to the service on Friday, both at the church. A prayer service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday at the church.

Gwendolyn Joy Caird was born June 28, 1935 in Crosby, Minnesota to Leonard and Joy (Hamilton) Miller. Gwen moved with her family to Michigan for a short time before returning to the Crosby area where she attended school. On April 16, 1952, Gwen was united in marriage to John A. Caird at the United Methodist parsonage in Crosby. They made their home in Crosby before moving to the communities of Palisade, Hastings, Kingston, and finally settling in Kimball in 1958. In addition to raising their nine children, and providing a loving home, Gwen also worked outside the home. She was employed in the bakery at Jack and Jill in Annandale, as well as a cook at the Kimball Elementary School. In her later years, Gwen become a "Grandma" for the students at Kimball Elementary as part of the Foster Grandparent Program. Gwen was a long time member of the Kimball United Methodist Church, as well at the United Methodist Women, where she could usually be found in the kitchen, helping with luncheons and serving coffee on Sundays. In her spare time, Gwen enjoyed tending to her flower gardens, reading, doing word puzzles, birdwatching, cheering on the Twins and Vikings, and making her famous pumpkin bars. Over the years, she crocheted many afghans for her kids and grandkids. Above all, Gwen cherished the time she was able to spend with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Gwen is survived by her children, Jacqueline (Roger) Arens of Plainview, Gregory of Sartell, Cheryl (James) Johannes of Cold Spring, Leonard of Sartell, Esther (Thomas) Marks of Sartell, Kevin (Linda) of St. Augusta, Michael (Trish) of South Haven, Diana (Dwight) Vinar of Kimball, and Jane (Dean) Schmidt of Kimball; 15 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; siblings, Gail Ruschmeier and Harlan (Chris) Miller both of Aitkin; and many nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; great grandchild, Isaac Willenbring; brother, William Miller; and sister, Delores Turnock.

Gwen's grandsons, Brian and Ben Arens, John, Scott, Ryan, and Nicholas Caird, Jeremy Vinar, and Adam Marks will serve as pallbearers with Gwen's granddaughters, Karla Sorensen, Janet Willenbring, Jackie Hansen, Allison Caird, Ashley Hommerding, Julie Adolph, and Jodi Vinar as honorary pallbearers. Sandy Brown will provide music for the service. Arrangements entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial & Cremation Services of Kimball.

 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gwendolyn Joy (Miller) Caird, please visit our floral store.