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Earl David 'Dave' Gardner

Earl David "Dave" Gardner

Feb 3, 1939 - Aug 22, 2015
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A Memorial Service for Earl David “Dave” Gardner, 76, will be held 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 27, 2015 at the Missouri Valley Fire Hall with Pastor Echo Klaproth officiating. A visitation will be held 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 25th at Davis Funeral Home. Memorial contributions to the Missouri Valley Fire Dept., Shoshoni FFA or the Elks in care of Davis Funeral Home.

On August 22, 2015, Mr. Gardner died on the family ranch in the Missouri Valley in a farming accident.

He was born February 3, 1939 in Riverton, son of Earl F. and Stella M. (Kelly) Gardner.

Dave attended school in Morton, Wy where he graduated in 1957.

On April 18, 1956, Dave married Claudine Stoll in Thermopolis, Wyoming. The couple lived on a farm in the Morton/Kinnear area for 6 years, then lived east of Riverton for 5 years before spending the next 45 years on the Missouri Valley Ranch. His family says that Dave farmed and ranched his entire life and never lived in a town or city.

Dave always loved spending time with his grandkids. He was a true stockman who had a passion for taking care of his cattle. He especially enjoyed feeding the calves in the feedlot. Mr. Gardner enjoyed tinkering with antique tractors. He was a Charter member of the Wind River Fly Wheelers, and was a Charter member of the Morton/Kinnear Fire Dept, where it was the first rural volunteer fire department recognized in the state of Wyoming. Dave was a big supporter and was very active in the fire department all his life. He served as Chief for the Missouri Valley Fire Department. Mr. Gardner also was a 45 year member of the Wyoming Stockgrowers, Fremont County Cattlemen (Past President), member of Farm Bureau, High Plains Board of Directors for 33 years, Elks Lodge in Riverton for 38 years and was a dedicated member of AA.

Survivors include his wife, Claudine of the family ranch; sons, Gregory Gardner and his wife, Barbara of Lysite, Bret Gardner and his wife, Laurie of Missouri Valley, Kelly Gardner and his wife, Kimber of Missouri Valley; brother, Charles Gardner and his wife, Lynne of Missouri Valley; sister, Nellie Newberry of Eugene, OR; 8 grandchildren, Heidi Gardner, James (Jennifer) Gardner, Jason Bridget) Gardner, Melissa (Jeremy) Vukich , Chad Gardner, Brittani (Jordan) Adams, Kyrstin (Roozario) Gardner and Brynn Gardner; 8 great grandchildren; his lifelong friend, Jess Hankins of Crowheart, WY; and Fredy Reyes, who Dave considered another son.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Marilyn Foster.

On-line condolences for the family may be made at theDavisFuneralHome.com. Services are under the direction of the Davis Funeral Home.