Myrna L. Gardner, Died February 12, 2019

Myrna L. Gardner
Died Feb. 12, 2019

NORTHPORT – Myrna Lee Gardner, 86, of Northport, and formerly of Suttons Bay, passed into the hands of the Lord on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019 surrounded by her loving family.

Myrna was born Nov. 28, 1932 in Owosso, the only child of Max and Vera (Chrivia) Hilfinger.  She graduated from Owosso High School in 1950, immediately applying for nursing school, only to receive her acceptance letter after setting her wedding date to Harold (Bud) Gardner, who survives.  On Sept. 20, 1952, they were married at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Owosso.  

As a devoted wife and mother, she waited until her two children were high school age, and then reapplied to nursing school at the encouragement of her husband.  Myrna was quickly accepted into the first year offering of the Montcalm Community College’s Nursing Program. There, she was able to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse.  For ten years she worked as a nurse in the Greenville, then Belding hospitals where she had a special love and skill of working with newborn babies.

Myrna was a very talented crafter; she loved crocheting afghans.  She would often crochet until the wee hours of the morning producing a beautiful afghan in less than a week.  Through the years, she made each family member a personalized afghan, and generously gave away many, many more through donations in the community and through her church.  She was likely to just give one to a neighbor or friend for no special occasion.  In her later years, she took up the hobby of stitching on plastic canvas with the same enthusiasm.  Many of her Kleenex boxes are displayed throughout Keswick Church.

Myrna also loved to cook and bake, and when not crocheting, she would spend time looking through recipe books and magazines for new things to try.  She loved gardening and always had at least one or two tomato plants with fresh tomatoes for eating.  She regularly made all the family favorites including her “secret family recipe” for Icebox Pudding; a delicacy shared at the table at holidays and family events. 

In addition to her family, Myrna loved animals, but mostly her cats, and would do anything to spoil them.

Myrna was very active at Keswick United Methodist Church; only slowing when getting around became too difficult for her.  

Myrna is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, Harold (Bud); her two children, Kathy (Thomas) Zatorski, and Jim (Sandy) Gardner; her grandchildren, Max (Caitlin) Anderson, Miles Anderson, Alicia (Phil) Browne, Emily (Dan) Wilhelm, and Benjamin Gardner; and her precious great-granddaughter, Evy Anderson.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 18 at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.  A Memorial Service in Bingham Township Cemetery will be held in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Keswick United Methodist Church, 3376 S. Center Highway, Suttons Bay, MI 49682.

Please share condolences and memories with Myrna’s family below or on our Facebook Page.