Phyllis Vera Gardner

Phyllis "Phyl" Gardner passed away quietly on November 28, 2015 at Ridgeview Gardens, Assisting Living. She was just 2 weeks short of her 99th birthday. Born to Sam & Mildred “Midge" Stoner in Dallas Center, Iowa, she was the second eldest of 7 children. Of her siblings, she is survived by her youngest sister, Marty (Dale) Finestead of Granger, Iowa. In 1937, Phyl married Melvin Gardner, her beloved husband for 55 years. They raised their 3 daughters, Carol, Judith & Janet in Iowa, moving to Southern California in 1958. Their family continued to grow when their daughters married and collectively gave them 7 grandchildren: Tracy, Greg, Jay, Jim, Jodi, Mary & Michelle, then 12 great grandchildren, and 3 great, great grandchildren. In retirement, Mel & Phyl were active in their community and in competitive shuffleboard tournaments, each winning medals in the Senior Olympics in Ventura, CA. After Melvin's death in 1992, Phyl moved to St. George, UT to join her daughter, Carol and son-in-law George Frost. Music always played an important role in Phyllis' life. She even taught beginning piano lessons in her home when she was first married. In her later years she especially enjoyed the volunteer entertainers who performed at her residence at Ridgeview Gardens. Daughters Carol (George) Frost, Janet (Arthur) Cecala and Judith Warinner join the entire family in giving thanks to the Ridgeview staff for all the loving care they gave to our dear, sweet mother & grandmother. Memorial Services are pending.