Leland A Gardner

Leland A Gardner died peacefully at home in West Jordan UT on June 4, 2014 of natural causes. Leland was 90 years old, born Oct 16, 1923 in Blackfoot ID, the son of Alvin Floyd Gardner and Clara Eliza Beck. Leland had two siblings, Lois May Shearer and Ronald F. Gardner. Leland worked at the Idaho AEC for 16 years, he owned two grocery stores, a music store selling organs, a trucking business, a vending machine business, he worked many years for Jefferson county, but his favorite occupation was raising kids and farming which included dairy, hay & grain and dry farming 3000 acres west of Idaho Falls. Leland’s hobbies where many, they included water ski boat operator for his family, he became severely addicted to snowmobiling while in his 50s and 60s, He enjoyed fishing and hunting his entire life, he was a licensed airplane pilot and dearly loved flying and travelling. He was able to travel to many parts of the world. As a teenager, Leland married Evelyn Cooper and they had 5 children; Judy Wilson, Gary, Clinton, Brent and Chris. Evelyn passed away at the age of 27 leaving her children ages 7 years to 11 months. Leland then married RoseAnn Martin who had a baby girl Almeda (d.2011), who he adopted, they had two more sons together, James and David. This marriage ended in divorce. Leland then found and married the love of his life Donna Marie, who had three children, Susan, Randy (d.1990) and Scott, they had one child together, Laura Lee. This gave Leland one dozen children to raise which he did very well. Leland has 44 grandchildren and many great grandchildren. Leland is survived by Donna Marie, his best friend and wife for 56 years. Leland was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served in many positions including Temple Worker and Bishop of the Roberts 1st Ward at the age of 75-80. There will be a viewing on Monday, June 9th from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Eckersell Funeral Home, 101 Main Street in Rigby Idaho. Then a viewing on Tuesday June 10th from 9:30 am - 10:45 am at the Roberts 1st ward, 663 N 2858 E, Roberts ID 83444 The funeral services will be at 11:00 am at the Roberts 1st Ward. Burial will follow at Fielding Memorial Park in Idaho Falls.