Wayne Gardner

GARDNER, EMDE

Posted By: Kathy Zobeck (email)
Date: 1/31/2011 at 10:01:29

Wayne Gardner, 87, of Iowa City, died Friday, January 28, 2011, at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Iowa City.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, February 1, 2011, at St. Marks United Methodist Church, Iowa City with visitation from 2 to7 p.m., Monday at the Gay & Ciha Funeral Service in Iowa City with a Masonic service at 7 p.m. Interment with military honors will take place at Memory Gardens Cemetery, Iowa City. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospital or Iowa City Hospice. Online condolences may be sent to Wayne's family through the web @www.gayandciha.com.

Wayne Gardner was born April 8, 1923 in Washington County, Iowa, the son of Bertha (Emde) and Harry Gardner Sr. He graduated from North English High School in 1941. He attended Kirkwood Community College earning his certificate in welding. Wayne served in the United States Marine Corps during WWII. On June 8, 1950, Wayne married Goldie Burkley in Kalona. He worked as a plumber at the University of Iowa for 18 years and the VA Hospital for 14 years. He spent 18 months in Greenland on an expedition for North Atlantic Contractors. Wayne and Goldie were both long-time residents of Iowa City, living here since 1950.

Wayne was a long-time member of St. Marks United Methodist Church, active in the Masonic, White Shrine and OES organizations both locally and on the state level, as well as being a member of the Iowa City American Legion. One of Wayne's pleasures was being one of the Crazy Clowns with the KAABA Temple Shrine. Wayne volunteered many years at the Senior Center in Iowa City where he was able to continue his love for cooking.

His family includes their children, Joyce Rossie (Jim) of Iowa City; Allan Gardner (Brenda) of West Branch, Julie Barnes (Art) of Iowa City; Joanne Moore (Steve) of Iowa City and Arthur Gardner (Julie) of Council Bluffs, IA; 19 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; brothers, Frank and Burrell Gardner as well as special friend, Lorene Frenzen.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Goldie; his parents; sister, Kathleen Calvin and brother, Harry Gardner II.

Wayne's family would like to acknowledge the great care and compassion the doctors and nurses of 7W (VAMC) shared with Wayne and his family, making these last two weeks as enjoyable and memorable as they could have been, Thank You!