1939
Gary
2008
Gary Gardiner
July 18, 1939 — April 21, 2008
Gary R. Gardiner, 68, of Eldora, Iowa, died Monday, April 21, 2008, at his home in Eldora, Iowa, while under the care of Hospice of North Iowa. Funeral services will be at 10:30 am on Thursday, April 24 at the Eldora United Methodist Church in Eldora with Pastor Richard Boatman officiating. Burial will follow at Eastlawn Memory Gardens in Eldora. Visitation is from 6 pm to 8 pm on Wednesday at Creps-Abels Funeral Home in Eldora with Masonic Services beginning at 6 pm. Memorials may be directed to Hospice of North Iowa or the Eldora United Methodist Church.
Gary was born July 18, 1939 in Minburn, Iowa, son of Ray and Marian (Ross) Gardiner. He graduated from Minburn High School in 1957 then received his BA from Drake University in 1961 with a major in Arts and Crafts and minor in History. On May 9, 1962 Gary was united in marriage to Mary Jo Lamb. They made their home in Eldora where Gary taught Arts and Crafts at the Iowa State Training School for Boys for 39 years. Mary Jo died in November of 1972 and on August 19, 1978 Gary married Wanda May Pratt. He was a member of the Eldora United Methodist Church and has been a member of Eldora Montague Lodge since 1970. He enjoyed camping and gardening and while in Minburn, roller-skated with "The Singing Wheels" during the mid-1950s. He also received great enjoyment from his beloved dogs, Honey, Bart and Skeeter.
He is survived by his wife, Wanda; children, Lori (Mark) Albright of Grundy Center, Greg Gardiner of Marshalltown, Jeffrey Gardiner of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Helen (Larry) Golden of Goldfield, Robin Johnston of Waterloo, Linette Goodknight of Eldora, and Christopher (Christina) Pratt of Paragould, Arkansas; brother, Steve Gardiner of Chicago, Illinois; and by 13 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Jo; his parents; and sons, David and Glen Smedsrud and Jeffrey Pratt.
Gary was born July 18, 1939 in Minburn, Iowa, son of Ray and Marian (Ross) Gardiner. He graduated from Minburn High School in 1957 then received his BA from Drake University in 1961 with a major in Arts and Crafts and minor in History. On May 9, 1962 Gary was united in marriage to Mary Jo Lamb. They made their home in Eldora where Gary taught Arts and Crafts at the Iowa State Training School for Boys for 39 years. Mary Jo died in November of 1972 and on August 19, 1978 Gary married Wanda May Pratt. He was a member of the Eldora United Methodist Church and has been a member of Eldora Montague Lodge since 1970. He enjoyed camping and gardening and while in Minburn, roller-skated with "The Singing Wheels" during the mid-1950s. He also received great enjoyment from his beloved dogs, Honey, Bart and Skeeter.
He is survived by his wife, Wanda; children, Lori (Mark) Albright of Grundy Center, Greg Gardiner of Marshalltown, Jeffrey Gardiner of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Helen (Larry) Golden of Goldfield, Robin Johnston of Waterloo, Linette Goodknight of Eldora, and Christopher (Christina) Pratt of Paragould, Arkansas; brother, Steve Gardiner of Chicago, Illinois; and by 13 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Jo; his parents; and sons, David and Glen Smedsrud and Jeffrey Pratt.
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