Gerald R. Nygaard, 70, died at Carle Foundation Hospital in Rantoul, Ill., on Jan. 24, surrounded by his family.

He was born on Oct. 27, 1938, in Greenbush, Minn., to Melvin J. Nygaard and Inez (Carlson) Nygaard-Penton. The family moved to Bemidji, Minn., and then in 1942, to Burns to work for the Edward Hines Lumber Company. In 1946, the family acquired the Hines Commissary, where Nygaard worked until leaving the community in 1960.

He graduated from Burns High School in 1956. While in Harney County, he worked for Edward Hines and the U.S. Forest Service, as well as serving as a sergeant in the National Guard.

Nygaard worked for Bendix Corp. in North Hollywood, Calif., from 1961 to 1979. He was then promoted and moved to Illinois to work as the MIS manager at the company’s subsidiary, Caradco, a door and window manufacturer. He worked there until his retirement in 2000.

Nygaard married Sue Walkup in Los Angeles, Calif., on July 21, 1962. They divorced, and he then married Jackie (Wood) Huber on April 16, 1983, in Illinois.

He was considered by those who knew him to be a man of honor and integrity. He enjoyed spending time with his family and found joy in spending time with his kids — riding motorcycles, camping, coaching them in soccer, baseball, football, track and softball, and creating memories. He also enjoyed riding his red scooter around his home town, taking his dog Tucker on long walks and rides and spending time with his friends.

Nygaard’s favorite vacation spot was Disney World, and he wanted everyone to have fun. He was always the first one up in the morning so his family could get to the park first and be the first in line for the roller coasters on Splash Mountain.

He is survived by his wife, Jackie; children, Carolyn Haskins and husband, Brad of Jacksonville, Fla., Michael Nygaard of Gila Bend, Ariz., Sandra Roos and husband, Bill of Simsbury, Conn., and Nikky Flesner and husband, Travis of Rantoul, Ill.; 11 grandchildren; and brother, Melvin T. Nygaard and wife, Mary Sykes of Roseburg.