Strange to be adding a message so many months after Fred's passing, but I dreamed about Gerre last night, and it seemed apropos to come looking for Fred's obit. this morning. He was a great man, a great friend and a huge asset to District 6, the church and the Greeley community. We agree that Meeker should be re-named Fred Tjardes Elementary. Every child should have a Fred Tjardes in his/her life.

Love and prayers, Gerre, for you & all the family.

Darrell and I would like to express our condolences to Gerie, Sue, Bill, Jane and Jill.   We have many wonderful memories of our families being together at Greeley Christian Church, neighbors in Hillside, fellow educators, and many fun social times together.  Fred lived a Christian life through everything he ever did.  He modeled for all in every aspect of his full life what it means to be a Christian as a neighbor, friend, outstanding educator, and fellow human being.   Fred has been dearly loved by all who knew him and found him to be their very own mentor as well.  We are saddened by his passing, but know he has gone to a better place.  Our thoughts, and humble prayers are with his wonderful family.
Darrell and Carolyn Wallisch, Littleton, CO

Fred and I were High school friends he was a great athlete and a good friend.
Gere you were lucky yo have such a great husband. Sue,Jayne, Jill,And Bill Your Dad treasured you.
May God bless you all.

As I said in my phone message earlier this week, Sylvia and I were really sorry we weren't able to attend the service for Fred, but Sylvia had hip replacement surgery on May 11 and was dismissed from the hospital on the late afternoon of May 14.
Ken and Sylvia Humphrey

Fred Tjardes -- or Jill's dad to me -- was just about the closest thing I had to a father figure in my life during my high school years.  I loved spending time at the Tjardes' house and I will always remember my political debates with Fred!  To the entire Tjardes family - my thoughts are with you from across the miles.  Love, Amy

Our entire family was blessed and honored to of had Mr. Tjardes as a friend and teacher. His positive, friendly and caring heart for all that was fortunate to be touched by his love will forever be a treasure in our hearts. We would like to Thank you for sharing this incredible man with our family he gave me and my brother the means and ability to go on in life and make our parents proud.

Our hearts and prayers go to the entire Tjardes family for the loss of a amazing man.

Don, Dan and Joni (Freeman) O'Leary

Mr. Tjardes,
You were the best.  I never left your presence without feeling valued by you.  
Thank you Tjardes family for sharing your incredible husband and father with the rest of us.  I am so very sorry for your loss.
Duane McDonald

I had the privilege of being in the first class Mr. Tjardes taught - 5th grade at Franklin Elementary School.  He had a way of relating to all the students and making everyone feel special.  What an amazing teacher he was and friend he became in the following years.  My husband and I are very blessed to have known him and to be able to call him a friend.  You will be greatly missed.

Lee & Patty (Fletcher) Steele

Some teachers leave lasting impressions on our lives.  For me, Mr. Tjardes was one of those teachers.  I remember one particular disciplinary action Mr. Tjardes imposed upon me as a fifth grader and I realized the wisdom of his discipline.  It made me a better student and hopefully a better person.

When I heard the news of his passing, I was deeply saddened and my heart was broken for all of the Tjardes Family.  Fred was such a good man and had a wonderful presence about him that always demanded respect. Please know that you are all in my thoughts today.

Loved your chick o sticks Mr. Tjardes!!!  Your teaching still lives on.  My daughter is being taught drama by your daughter!  I am so thankful for all you have given!!! 

Melinda Park

Uncle Fred is the uncle that made me think most of my dad Boyd. I remember watching Grandpa Tjardes and Uncle Fred riding horses. When he came to visit us in Missouri I was puzzled how excited he was to see our red birds. He was so patient when he explained cardinals don't live out west.

I am so thankful when I remember Uncle Fred's help when my dad died. All the Tjardes's and Pyles were wonderful to us.  We send our prayers and deepest sympathy to Aunt Geraldine and the family. We are looking forward to a big family reunion in the sky. 

Jim and Kathryn Tjardes

Sylvia and I were very saddened (and stunned) to learn of Fred's passing. Our sincere, deepest sympathies are extended to Gerri and the members of her family at this difficult time.

Fred and I were elementary principals together in Greeley for 12 plus years during the 70s and early 80s.  I always respected and admired his "steady but sure" manner and his constantly evident, never-wavering professionalism---that of which I tried hard to emulate in my own dealings with staff and students.  It was my (our) great pleasure to have known such a wonderful person.

Fred will be missed.  He was the principal of Meeker Elementary School when my daughters attended.  Laurie and Jennifer were 7 years apart so we had a lot of time with Fred.  He was a terrific man and especially talented in his dealings with his students.  We know because L/J were both characters and he saw them accordingly.  I told him that if they didn't turn out in life that he was the one thing they had in commom.  We shared a good laugh.  Well they turned out outstanding so I guess I have to give credit where credit is due.  Thank you Fred for everything you gave to all of us.  You'll never be forgotten.  
Verneine Gebbie

"Little Freddie", I use to call you when you were five and I was 14. You grew up to be a fine young man, married a wonderful girl and have a great family.  You always were so good to me as later becoming your sister-in-law.

I will never forget at Jim's (your brother) funeral we had one in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and one in Gering, Nebraska, I had held up for my 3 children until they handed me Jim's flag. I broke down and cried, then felt a hand on my arm and you said, "Sis, come on you have gone through too much.

Fred, my brother, I'll never forget you and someday we will meet again.  
Your Sis, 
Letha

So sad to hear of Fred's passing. I was his first student teacher in the fall of 1963.  He was a great mentor. I have such fond memories of that teaching experience.

The word "educator" certainly sums up Mr. Tjardes.  Our children were both very fotunate to go through Meeker School starting in kindergarten. They loved Mr.Tjardes and of course always remembered the "chic o stick. Such a generous and kind soul.  We were all blessed to have known him.

People may remember him for Chicko sticks or cinnamon toothpicks, but I remember him for teaching us about right and wrong. His taught us about MLK and Charities and giving at Christmas, and so many things when we were young. He probably forgot more about Education than most educators will ever know. Keep running that Schoolhouse in the Sky till we get there Big Fella

Kind of funny how I can't remember the name of my high school principle but we can all remember Mr. Tjardes our wonder elementary principle.  He was a wonderful man and leader.  Thanks for sharing such an amazing person with us.  Rest in Peace.

So sad to hear of Fred's passing.  He was a wonderful Christian man who served his Lord in many ways over the years.  Ray and I experienced his many gifts and love while we were his Pastors at First Christian Church in Greeley from l986 to l993.  Fred was always willing to do whatever needed to be done in the church with a loving, warm spirit.  Our prayers are with Gerie, Sue, Bill, Jane and Jill.  We love you all and know there will be a huge hole in your lives that Fred filled for so many years.  Take comfort in knowing that Fred is now in that beautiful place called heaven, where there is no more sadness, no more pain, no more tears and no more separation from those we love, for we will be forever in the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Blessings and love.  Wendy and Ray Miles, Macon Georgia

I will always remember Mr. Tjardes for his loving heart he had for kids. He told me once that all of his students were his responsibility from the moment they left their front door until they returned home. As a parent, I loved how the kids respected him, his reading at lunchtime, and those Chic-O-stix!! We were with one of my daughters this summer when we saw some chic-o-stix and it led to some good laughs and memorys of Mr. Tjardes. As a young mother sending her kids off to school, I always felt they were in the best hands with him! He made it hard for all other principals to try to fill his shoes! We will miss you!

Mr. Tjardes made a huge impact on me as my elementary school princible.  He really knew how to connect with kids.  We will miss you!

Jeff Mckinney

Mr. Tjardes, 
Never can I look at a chick-o-stick without thinking of you.  You are a person from my academic life who has left lasting memories.  Now that I am in education, I see so many principals and people in admin, not one of them will ever be able to hold a candle to you.  Thank you for your part in my life.  Warmest wishes to those who are still here to celebrate your life.

Mr. Tjardes,
Joke time at lunch, chick o sticks, reading with me after school.

Uncle Fred you were the best!!!  You were the glue that kept the Tjardes family connected. My many memories were watching you play football in high school, dating Aunt Gerre, going into the Navy, ans riding horses. You were on vacation with the four kids and you stopped to see my late husband and I in Junction City, Ks. After my husband passed away you helped make it possible for my two children and I to spend Cristmas 1979 in Gering. What a legacy you have left for us all and a Godly example. You will be missed, but knowing one day we will see you again in a much better place called Heaven helps to ease the pain we have today. Love you so much!  :)

To my Uncle Fred,  Thank you for all you have done to keep our families close. I will miss your friendly voice, smile, kindness and humor.  You were the best.  One day I will see you again  Love you

Mr. Tjardes, you have made such an impact on SO many lives.  Whenever I think of you I have a great big smile on my face.  Lunchtime was something we actually looked forward to and it certainly wasn't because of the food.  I'll never forget when you confiscated my bourbon balls that I slipped into my lunchbox.I also remember a few broken arms from when you rode your bike to school and took a few spills. You are a great, great man and will be terribly missed.

Thank you for the wonderful memories at Meeker Elementary. You are one of the great ones that will be missed.

Fred was the best.  When a confused kid whose dad was out of work didn't have a coat, he gave me a wind-breaker.  Fred was also a friend of my late father's, and he watched me grow up, go into the Navy, and kept abreast of my trials an tribulations to obtain a College Degree.  RENAME MEEKER ELEMENTARY FRED TJARDES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL!

Mr. Tjardes was my Principal at Meeker Elementary School and was the best at it! Like others said, he always gave the chick-o-sticks for our birthdays, always had a toothpick in his mouth, read to us during lunch and had fun games for us, a great smile and a wink. We lived by him before I started school and he was the reason I went to Meeker. He was a great man, and will very much be missed! My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends, RIP Mr. Tjardes, and we will see you again on that beautiful day my friend. ;)

Fred, you were a great friend and brother-in-law.  We enjoyed so much your trips to Gering.  Our years together through high school will be treasured, especially the time you introduced us at the Gering swimming pool.  After almost 59 years your blessings will always be with us.  What a memory you had.  We miss you and love you much.
                                  Duane and Marlene Deines  (Sun City, CA)

Mr. Tjardes, not many people made as big of an impact on me as you did.  I don't think there was ever a better lunchroom than Meeker Elementary.  Reading stories to us, urging us to try everything on our plate, and chick-o-sticks always come to mind with I remember you.  ?

Mr. Tjardes was my elementry principle. I am so sad to hear of his passing. I will always remember the chic-o-stix and how he'd "get you" with the ok sign game, how he read to us during lunch, and how he knew each one of us by name. He was a great man, and I've never forgotten him. Heaven got someone special. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time. God Bless.

Kelly Webeck Johnson

Thank you Fred for being a big part of our lives. You were an amazing man with a huge heart. We love you very much.

OBITUARY

Fred Tjardes

June 26, 1935 – May 6, 2012

Stoddard Funeral & Cremation & Sunset Memorial Gardens

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