Jeannette Dolores Gardner, our dear mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on October 6, 2017 in San Tan Valley, Arizona. She is survived by her husband Duane, her daughters Genie (Buckpitt), Rita (Pyle), Vicki (Peterson), Martha (Petersen), and Ilene (Witt), her son Wesley, along with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jeannette was born July 5, 1938 in St. Louis, Missouri to Wesley and Jeannette Gurney. During her childhood, she lived in St. Louis and on a farm outside the city. She loved the farm, especially the wildflowers that grew profusely there. She carried this love for flowers and beauty with her throughout her life. Her family moved to Mesa, Arizona in 1949, and eventually settled in Tempe, where she met the love of her life in January, 1957. Duane was an insurance salesman at the time, and Jeannette described him as a “gorgeous guy.” They were married July 13, 1957, in the Mesa Arizona Temple. Jeannette and Duane lived in several different places, but made their permanent home in Pinetop, Arizona, where they raised seven children.

Jeannette was blessed with a talent for making things. She drafted house plans. She made furniture. She expertly sewed clothing. She became a master flower arranger. She was selfless and spent her life serving others. She held many volunteer positions in her church, and was happiest when she was helping other people—making quilts, cooking meals, sharing craft projects. She was a quiet person who was sensitive to the feelings of others, especially her family members.

Her greatest legacy is her family. She expressed her love for being a grandmother and great-grandmother, and often said her family was the most important thing she had. She was a woman of faith. In her words, “I know everything comes from Heavenly Father and we need to thank him for all we have . . . I know God answers our prayers. It has happened many times.” We continue to be strengthened by her faith and her example.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Wesley and Ronald, and her son Norman. Funeral services will be held Thursday October 12, 2017 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1150 W. Combs Rd, Queen Creek, Arizona. Interment will be Saturday, October 14, 2017, at the Lakeside, Arizona Cemetery, 1265 S. Larson Rd. Jeannette will be laid to rest next to her precious son.

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