Joyce Kathryn Gardner

Joyce Kathryn Gardner, age 80 died peacefully on April 30, 2009. Joyce was born in Rush City, Minnesota on September l3, l928 to Raymond and Margaret Gluth. She was raised in Rush City, Minnesota, a small farming community of about l000 Swedish, German, and Bohemian people. She was married to James Thomas Gardner of Pine City, Minnesota on July 24, l948, and at the age of 20 moved to Anchorage, Alaska. The plane ride from Minneapolis to Anchorage took 14 hours and required a fueling stop. They had and raised two children in Anchorage, Darrel and Rhonda. They joined a brave group of early Alaskan settlers and family relatives who helped homestead and develop early Anchorage, then a city of 10, 000 people and the largest town of its kind in Alaska. Jim and Joyce were happily married 43 years. They lived there with several of Jim's relatives and thus established a strong pioneer reputation and helped in the development of Anchorage in the 40's, 50's and 60's. Joyce was a member of the Pioneers of the State of Alaska (No. 4) and was honored for her volunteer work on behalf of Alaska's history and community. She spent many years working for the Anchorage Independent School District and served as the secretary who was known for her extraordinary organizational skills and work ethic. Joyce moved to Austin in 2005 after Jim's death and upon becoming ill with Parkinson's disease. In Austin, she loved her 5 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren and spent her days in the care of the wonderful people at Brighton Gardens. In particular, Fanny, and Maria provided extraordinary love and care to Joyce while she was ill. Joyce dedicated her entire life to her family. Her steadfast, hardworking, quiet nature became the foundation of the loving family that she raised with purpose, pride, and self-less love and affection. She was proud of her children, grand-children, and great-grandchildren. She chose to attend every special occasion for the grand-children, including graduations, first communions, and weddings. She traveled from Anchorage to Austin every Christmas in order to be with them. Joyce had many wonderful friends and her friends remained steadfast and loving throughout her life. In this modern age, Joyce continued to receive over l00 Christmas cards from friends and relatives at the age of 80. Besides her family and community, she enjoyed gardening or all types and was a life-long member of the Anchorage Gardening Club. She was an active member of St. Anthony's Parish in Anchorage for over 40 years and she volunteered at the church and the Providence Extended Care Center. She spent hours and days caring for friends and visiting the sick and the needy. Her strong Catholic traditions and beliefs were the foundation of the actions and deeds of her life. Joyce and Jim also enjoyed dancing to the songs of Glen Miller in the living room of their home in Anchorage. Joyce is survived by her daughter, Rhonda Gardner Paver and her husband Bill Paver of Austin, Texas; son, Darrel James Gardner and his wife, Tina Adair of Anchorage, Alaska; her beloved grandchildren, Mary Paver Brady, and her husband, Chuck Brady, of Austin; William Robert Paver of Austin; James Anthony Paver of Austin; Colleen Gardner Paver of Austin; Matthew Connelly Paver of Austin, and Rory McAllister of Anchorage, Alaska; her beloved great-grandchildren; Katherine Connelly Brady, Ella Robinson Brady, Elizabeth Gardner Brady, and Clara Paver Brady, all of Austin, Texas Contributions may be made to the Catholic Social Services of Anchorage, Alaska, 225 Cordova Street, 9950l or the American Heart Association in Anchorage, Alaska. Serving as pallbearers will be William Joseph Paver, William Robert Paver, James Anthony Paver, Matthew Connelly Paver, Charles James Brady, and David Lapage-Browne. A Rosary and memorial for Joyce will be held on Sunday, May 3rd, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Austin's Catholic Church, Austin, Texas. A funeral mass will be held in Anchorage, Alaska at St. Anthony's Catholic Church on May l2, 2009 at l:00 p.m. She will be laid to rest next to her husband at Angelus Memorial Park in Anchorage, Alaska.