Amy (Steffen) Gardner - 1902-1999

STEFFEN, HELMING, GARDNER, ERICSON, LOGESON, FENWICK

Posted By: Connie Ellis (email)
Date: 11/10/2011 at 20:20:45

SOURCE: Waukon, Iowa WAUKON STANDARD, September 1, 1999
Contributor: Connie Ellis (Not related)

A memorial service for Amy (Steffen) Gardner, age 96, of Laguna Hills, California, formerly of Waukon, Iowa, will be held on September 10 at 10 a.m. in El Toro Memorial Park, Lake Forest with Dr. Jack Ogden of Leisure World Community officiating, followed by the scattering of her cremains in El Toro Memorial Park.

Amy, daughter of Albert I. and Martha (Helming) Steffen, was born November 27, 1902 in Ludlow Township near Waukon, Iowa in Allamakee County. She attended Allamakee County schools and after graduating from high school, she attended Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Iowa in Iowa City. During World War II, Amy spent her summers working as a nurses aide in army hospitals in New Orleans, Louisiana and Honolulu, Hawaii. Amy lived nearly 70 years in Iowa, teaching in Clear Lake, West Des Moines, and Forest City. In 1943 she moved to Mason City, Iowa to teach social studies at Monroe Junior High, where she remained until her retirement in 1968. She married A. Floyd Gardner, M.D. on August 13, 1972 and they moved to Long Beach, California. Her husband died in August of 1976.

Amy was a member of the Covenant Presbyterian Church in Long Beach, California where she served as an elder and commissioner to the General Assemby. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma and NEA. In Long Beach she belonged to Ebell Club. Amy resided at Leisure World from 1984 to 1997 when failing health brought her to Laguna Hills.

Amy (Steffen) Gardner died Thursday, August 26, 1999 in Laguna Hills, California. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters, Laura Steffen, Althea Ericson, Frances Steffen, and Marion Fenwick.

Amy is survived by her two nieces, Martha (Roger Logeson) Ericson of Rockford, Illinois and Elizabeth Fenwick of Hillboro, Oregon, one nephew, Dr. Eric S. (Gretchen) Ericson of Rockford, Illinois.