Curtis James Gardner 1960-2007

JENNINGS, GARDNER

Posted By: michael (email)
Date: 5/1/2007 at 12:10:17

Curtis James Gardner, 47, of West Branch, IA, passed away peacefully Sunday, April 29, 2007 at his mother’s home after a courageous battle with cancer. Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 1 from 3:00 - 7:00 pm at Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service in Iowa City. A Celebration of Kurt’s life will then be held at 7:00 pm at the funeral home with Pastor Tim Zimmermann officiating. Burial will be Wednesday in the Tipton Masonic Cemetery.

Kurt was born March 7, 1960, in Davenport, IA to Mary Jennings and James R. Gardner. He attended schools in Tipton and Iowa City, playing baseball first in Little League, then Babe Ruth, and at West High School, graduating from Iowa City West High School in 1978. Kurt was a letter carrier for the Iowa City Post Office beginning in 1985 until he was unable to work after being diagnosed with cancer. He married Karen Hobert on April 9, 1988. They later divorced.

Kurt was a devoted father and outdoorsman. He loved spending time with his children, attending soccer and football games, and taking them fishing, hunting, boating, and camping. Some of his favorite times were spent on his timber near Tipton and on fishing trips to Canada. He was an accomplished archer and muzzleloader, hunting deer and turkey. He appreciated nature, and took great joy in photographing animals and scenery. Kurt also enjoyed cooking, playing cards with the guys, NASCAR races, the Dallas Cowboys, and Hawkeye football. He loved music, especially country and rock and roll. He was a dedicated letter carrier, loved the patrons on his route, and especially “his” patrons’ dogs.

He is survived by his children, Lyle and Joan Gardner of West Branch; mother, Mary (Bob) Lindemann of Iowa City; sister, Lisa Gardner of Phoenix, AZ; half sister, Tamera Gardner of Atlanta, GA; half-brother, James Gardner of Tipton, IA; maternal grandmother, Ruth Jennings of Tipton, IA; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, step brother and sister, his former spouse, Karen Gardner of West Branch, and our special cats Tiger and Gordy.

Kurt was preceded in death by his father, paternal grandparents, maternal grandfather, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to Iowa City Hospice, The University of Iowa Foundation for cancer research at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, or a college education fund for Kurt’s children.

The family extends special thanks to Dr. Brian Link, nurse Patty Schwickerath, Iowa City Hospice, Dr. Neal Wilkinson, the nurses and staff of UIHC 4JPP and the Holden Cancer Center, and Cancer Care of Iowa City, for their caring, concern, and support.