Richard Gardner

Richard Gardner was born in Atlantic, Iowa, August 25, 1944, the son of Arthur Roy and Anna Matilda Harmsen Gardner. He was raised in Atlantic and Council Bluffs, Iowa, and graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs with the class of 1962. Following high school Richard enlisted in the United States Navy and served his country from August of 1962 until August of 1964. After his honorable discharge from active duty he joined the United States Navy Reserves where he served for twenty-five years. On July 30, 1967, Richard was united in marriage with Shirley Christiansen in Ida Grove, Iowa. Their union was blessed with three daughters, Christina, Charlyn and Cindi. They made their home in Carroll, Iowa for two years before moving to Denison where Richard was employed at Seven-Up and from 1983 until his retirement in 2008 he was employed at Farmland in Denison. Shirley died March 10, 1990. On May 14, 1994, Richard was united in marriage with Pamela Lee King and they made their home in Denison. For the past three years he had resided at Eventide Lutheran Home in Denison. In his spare time Richard enjoyed camping, fishing, bowling, golfing, wood working and spending time with his family. He was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison. Richard died early Wednesday, November 14, 2012, at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital, Denison, Iowa. At the time of his death he had been blessed with 68 years, 2 months and 19 days. Including his parents, and his first wife, Shirley, Richard was also preceded in death by one brother, Robert Gardner and one step-grandson, Andrew Larson. Those remaining to cherish his memory include his wife Pamela Gardner of Denison, three daughters: Christina and husband Darwin Meyer of Denison, Charlyn Gardner of Denison, and Cyndi and husband Mark Hansohn of Deloit, Iowa; four step-children: Brad Lorenzen of Denison, Virginia and husband Keith Larson of Schleswig, Iowa, Becky and husband Toney Simms of Round Hill, Virginia, and Michele and husband Rob Muhlbauer of Vail, Iowa; three grandchildren, two great grandchildren, 18 step-grandchildren, four step-great grandchildren; sisters: Delores and husband George Olsen of Newberry, Florida, Kathy Flair and special friend Don Christensen of Walnut, Iowa; brother Steven and wife Jan Gardner of Atlantic, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.   Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Monday, November 19, 2012, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Denison, Iowa, with Father Timothy Friedrichsen as Celebrant. Others participating in the mass included Servers: Joe Graeve and Logan Dahm; Lector: Carolyn Von Tersch; Gift Bearers: Darwin and Christina Meyer and Eucharistic Ministers: Larry and Becky Schwarte and Nora Millea. Music for the mass was provided by the St. Rose of Lima Adult Choir, Pat Menegay, Director, singing “Amazing Grace”, “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”, “I Am The Bread of Life” and “On Eagles’s Wings” with Judy Thams serving as accompanist. Pallbearers were Dale Wolterman, Dave Mahlberg, Dennis Lally, Myron Olerich, Bob Starman and Ron McCoid. Interment, with Military Honors, provided by the American Legion, Post 8, Denison, Iowa, was at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Denison, Iowa. Following the graveside rites and burial the family invited everyone to join them at the St. Rose Parish Center for fellowship and a luncheon prepared and served by St. Rose of Lima Ladies Guild. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker.com , Denison, Iowa, was in charge of arrangements where on Sunday, November 18, 2012, a Legion of Mary Rosary was prayed at 4:30 p.m. and a Parish Vigil Service led by Father Timothy Friedrichsen was held at 6:00 p.m.