Mary Eva Sorensen Gardner

Mendon, Utah January 5th— Funeral services were held for Mrs. John A. Gardner in the Mendon ward house January 3rd, Bishop Bird presiding. The capacity of the spacious auditorium was taxed to its limit to accommodate the throng of relatives and friends who came to pay a tribute of respect to the departed. The floral offerings were profuse and most beautiful. Twenty nieces and nephews of the departed carried flowers. Four brothers and two brothers-in-law acted as pall bearers. The first and last musical numbers during the services was furnished by the Mathews quartet of Providence. A cornet solo was rendered by George G. Sweeten of Collinston; vocal solos were contributed by Miss Retta Walker, Miss Lucile Hardman, Miss Rigby and Mr. Fred Fish of Newton. Mr. Ether Jensen accompanied all the musical selections, which were beautiful. We take the space here to thank all who were kind enough to make this part of the services so sweet and consoling. Remarks of consolation were made by President George T. Hyde of a stake in Idaho; Bishop Butler of Cornish; Elders Abraham Sorensen, Bishop John H. Anderson of Logan, and Bishop Bird of Mendon. The speakers bore testimony of the good character and worth of Sister Gardner. She possessed [many friends] who loved her for her true friendship and good will she bore to all with whom she was acquainted, and with whom she associated. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had been a faithful zealous worker in many callings in the wards where she and her husband has resided. She was faithful in her callings in the Mendon ward before she married and she and her husband took up their residence in Idaho. Many good things were said in behalf of Sister Gardner by the various speakers, and much timely advice given to the living, for we know not in what hour the call may come to us, therefore it behooves us to be ready. As it was stated, Sister Gardner was; having lived a clean and virtuous life, she loved God and His commandments, she loved her neighbor as herself, these virtues, together with faith, has won for our sister a mansion in our Father's Kingdom. Elders Joseph H. Watkins, Jr. offered the opening prayer and Elder Andrew Andersen pronounced the benediction. There was a long cortege of autos and vehicles accompanied the remains to their last resting place. At the cemetery Jeremiah Baker dedicated the grave. ~Newspaper Not Listed.

Obituary— Mary E. Sorensen Gardner was born in Mendon, June 2nd, 1882, being the sixth child born to Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Sorensen and the first of the family of eleven to depart this life; she was educated in the local schools, had a very good musical training, and had also given herself somewhat to business endeavors. She married John A. Gardner, also of our ward, with whom she has spent a very happy period of her life. The family resided in parts of southern Idaho for some years, where they made many acquaintances and friends. Mr. Gardner and wife lived in Bannock, Idaho long enough to use his homestead right and secure a farm. This was sold. The family returned to Mendon, where they have provided a splendid home and where they had decided to stay and enjoy the fruits of their labors and savings. Thus in a moment our ideals are swept aside, and Brother Gardner is left alone to find a way, which will be opened for him so that even in this hour of bereavement a light will appear and lead him on. The husband and family have the heartfelt sympathy of our people in this time of parting. There were relatives and friends present from Salt Lake City, Murray, Collinston, Utah; Malad City, St. Anthony, Downey, Idaho; Cornish, Wellsville, Newton, Providence and possibly other places, not mentioned in this list. ~Logan Journal, January 5th, 1918, page 6.