Donna Clairaine Gardner

Born in Grand Junction Colorado on July 26, 1935, Donna was the second of two girls born to Ted Orme and Clara Louise (Walden) Orme. She attended multiple elementary schools in Colorado, Morey Junior High School and East High School in Denver, and took horseback lessons, music lessons and what she called "deportment" or "elocution" lessons throughout her youth. After high school, Donna went to Colorado Women's College for one year to study home economics.

In 1953, Donna met the love of her life, Jean Donald "Don" Gardner (d. 6/17/2002). Don was preparing to be shipped overseas by the Army for the Korean War, and he and Donna eloped on May 8, 1954, much to the chagrin of her parents. When Don returned from Korea in 1955, the couple began their family and had three children in less than three years.

Following several moves and job changes, Don's job returned the family to Denver from Cheyenne, Wyoming in 1962, and Donna took a job working at The Denver Dry Goods company in Downtown Denver. The family relocated to New York City in 1963 and, upon returning to Denver in 1968, Donna began working in the credit department of J.C. Penney. Eventually, she was employed with Norwest Savings and Loan, which was subsumed by Columbia Savings and Loan, and then taken over by Wells Fargo Donna retired from Wells Fargo in 2002.

Donna loved to cook, to bake and to decorate beautiful cakes for weddings, showers, and parties. She always enjoyed being hospitable to others, opening her home for many dinners and celebrations. Her love of hospitality also extended to her dogs, Prince, Alfie, and Beau. She deeply grieved the loss of each of these pets

Donna's faith in God gave her hope and stability during the years of uncertainty and difficulty in life. When her elopement complicate family relationships, Donna turned to her Heavenly Father for affirmation and love. Bible study, Christian music, and Fellowship were extremely important to Donna. Some of her best friends for life came from her church community. Donna looked forward to the day when she would be reunited in Heaven for eternity with her husband and friends.

Donna is survived by her sister, Carrol Maydew (Dean), Phoenix, Arizona; her daughters Carrol Showalter (Ren), and Becky Ross (Greg); her grandchildren, Kristen Showalter Andrews, Rory Ross; and her great-granddaughter, Aubree Andrews

A private family service will be held at Ft. Logan National Cemetery where Donna will be laid to rest with Don.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Donna's memory may be made to KPOF The Point of Faith Radio , https://am910kpof.allyrafundraising.com/campaigns/12301-am910-kpof-giving-page/contribute; Secor Cares , https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/secorcares/secor-general-giving-page; and Wellspring Community, https://wearewellspring.org/donate/.