Elaine L. Gardner

Jul 26, 2023

Provo — Our beautiful, gracious and beloved mother passed from this earth on August 17th, 2023. She was born April 9, 1933, in Springville, Utah, to Nephi and Madge Leyshon. She was raised in Salt Lake City and Springville. Elaine was born with a creative spirit, a desire to belong and participate. She loved to write and direct plays, putting them on with her sisters in their backyard, inviting the entire neighborhood. She had the drive and talent to succeed at anything she put her mind to. She loved life and took on challenges with both hands. Elaine married her eternal sweetheart, Henry R. Gardner, on September 25, 1953, in the Salt Lake City Temple. Being a wife was her most rewarding experience. She truly loved her husband, forgoing her hobbies and interests for a time to adopt her husband’s love of race horses; breeding, training, and driving around the west to watch them burst through the gates and fly to the finish line. Her happiest contribution to life was bearing and raising her children. Motherhood was a noble and desired path and she loved to say she was a Mother. Elaine delighted in the beauties of this earth. Noticing and reflecting on God’s creations brought her joy and happiness. Caring for her yard was a way of making her home a small bit of paradise. Serving earnestly and tirelessly in any calling or commitment she was asked to be a part of was typical of Elaine. She loved lifting the hands of those that hung down. She strove to make her community stronger by serving in LaSertoma and the Utah Pharmaceutical Auxiliary, holding local and district leadership positions in both. Later, Elaine rejoined the workforce and cherished the time spent working alongside her husband at City Drug. Elaine was devoted to all her church callings, but she especially enjoyed serving in Relief Society and on the activity committee. She held a deep fondness for the women she served with. They labored and laughed, side by side, as they created fantastic extravaganzas. We are so grateful for those tender hearts who found ways to support, care for and bring joy to our beloved mother. Elaine was preceded in death by: her husband, Henry R. Gardner, sister, Shirley L. Averett and two great granddaughters: Emberly Lynn and Linley RaNae Christensen. She is survived by her children: Karen (Brent) Stewart, Kathryn (Evan) Perry, R. Bradley (Abby) Gardner, Kerry Lynn Baker. 17 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren. Sisters, Evelyn L. Peterson and Linda L. Bahr and sister-in-law, Ruth P. Gardner. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 26th at Nelson Family Mortuary, 4780 North University Avenue, Provo, UT. A viewing will precede the service from 10:00 to 10:45. Internment will take place in the Spanish Fork City Cemetery.