Ada Minerva Gardner, known to friends as “Min” or “Mim”, would never turn down a trip to Hawaii, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, or watermelon. On May 16, 2019, at the age of 109, after a short illness at home and with her daughter by her side, she departed us to join the angels. This departure will bring a reunion with her husband of 33 years, Robert M. Gardner, and one son, Robert N. Gardner, in addition to family and friends she has not seen for a long time. Min loved people, and her three favorite words were "I love you."
Min is survived by her son, John M. Gardner and his wife Kay, her daughter Nancy P. Gardner (Huddle) and her husband David Huddle. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Michael Gardner, Amy Sheridan and husband Jamie, Ronda Lee Gardner-Procita and wife Cris, and Jon Gardner and wife Amie. She is also survived by eight great-grandchildren, Sarah, Ariana, and Bethany Sheridan, Alexis and Jon Gardner, Samantha and Matthew Gardner-Procita, and Austin Mason.
A viewing will be held at Advantage Funeral Home, 7720 S. Pennsylvania Ave, OKC, Thursday evening, May 30, from 5:00 to 8:00pm. The funeral service celebrating her life will be held on Friday, May 31, 2019 at 10:00am, at St. James Episcopal Church, 8400 S. Pennsylvania Avenue, followed by interment at Resthaven Gardens Cemetery. After the graveside ceremony, you are invited to join Min’s family for a light luncheon at St. James Episcopal Parish Hall.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to the St. James Episcopal Food Pantry would be appreciated.
Min was born in 1910 in Emmet County, MI and raised on a farm. Her favorite memories were of helping her Dad milk the cows, riding ponies at the county fair, being a PTA Home Room Mother, working with Cub Scouts and Brownies, and showing movies at the VA on Will Rogers Field. She met Bob, her future husband, at Michigan State College while both were students. She was attracted by his blue eyes and ready smile. She graduated from Michigan State in 1937 with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics. Bob was a meteorologist for the Weather Bureau, and over the years, he was transferred to various locations including Illinois, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and Florida. In addition to raising two sons and a daughter, Min was often busy getting the house packed up for moving.
Upon returning to Oklahoma City in 1968, Min and Bob joined St. James Episcopal Church where Bob was the choir director until his death, and Min was a member of the choir. Min was an Office Manager for one of the State Farm Insurance Offices in Oklahoma City for several years. After retiring from State Farm, she volunteered in the St. James Office and Food Pantry until she quit driving.
In 2012 Min moved to Virginia to live with daughter Nancy and son-in-law Dave. Her job was to keep Nancy out of trouble when she retired. Min did an excellent job but determined it was Dave’s turn. Her room is very empty now.
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