Ruth Ella Gardner

August 20, 1933 - August 3, 2017

Ruth Ella Gardner, age 83 of Albia, passed away on August 3, 2017 under the care of Hospice of Central Iowa at Monroe County Hospital in Albia. Ruth Ella was born August 20, 1933 to Roby and Grace (Lester) Small on the family farm in Wapello County, Iowa. She attended country school in Wapello County. On December 14, 1951, she married Everett Gardner at the home of Rev. Paul Beckman in Albia. They shared over 63 years of marriage together before Everett’s passing on April 13, 2015. To this union 2 children were born, Steve and Norman. Ruth Ella did the bookkeeping for the farm and worked outside the home for most of her life. She worked for the Monroe County Extension, Illingworth Jewelry and at the Leisure Lounge Senior Center. She was active in the PTO and the Monroe County Hospital Auxiliary She dedicated many years to 4-H in Monroe County, serving as a committee member, a project leader and served seven years as the Monroe County 4-H Aide. In 1999 Ruth Ella and Everett were named to the Monroe County Ag Hall of Fame. She was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church, the Order of the Eastern Star, Farm Bureau, the So & Sew Club and the Crazy Quilters Guild. She enjoyed reading, sewing and quilting. Her real joy in life was spending time with her family and friends, especially her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Ruth Ella is survived by her son, Steve (Lori) Gardner of Urbandale; 6 grandchildren, Adam, Jesse, Josh, Christine, Shelley, and Marla; 6 great grandchildren; 2 sisters, Icle and Lucille. Ruth Ella is also survived by nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her Husband, Everett Gardner; a son, Norman Gardner; Parents; and siblings, Ida, Inez, Ernest, and Donald. Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Saturday, August 5, 2017 at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Ruth Ella’s family present from 4:00-8:00 p.m., with Celebration of Life beginning at 6:30 p.m. The family is encouraging all to share favorite memories and stories of Ruth Ella and Everett. A graveside Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, August 7, 2017 at Oak View Cemetery in Albia with Pastor Roger Henry officiating. Family and friends that will be attending the service will meet at the cemetery on Monday morning. In lieu of flowers and plants, the family would prefer memorials be made to Hospice of Central Iowa or to 4-H.