Marti was born on May 26, 1943, in Honey Grove, Tx. to Roy F. Collard and Edith Pauline Collard. She grew up in Honey Grove with her sisters Glenda, Mary Sue, Nancy and Jane until the family moved to west Texas and lived in Tahoka where she met her husband William Thomas Gardenhire.
Marti was a woman of impeccable work ethic. Her career included officer manager at Boerne Motors and Davis Insurance in Boerne, Tx. and Broadway Chrysler Dodge in San Antonio. She spent many years at Brown Beasley and Associates as financial manager. She also served her community on the school board of Boerne ISD and prided herself in her work on the Boerne High School Booster Club. After retirement, she poured her heart and soul into her church family at Church of Christ, Hondo, Tx. She was the “unofficial” head of landscaping and ran the clothing room for the underprivileged. A vibrant soul, she was a beacon of light to those she cared for and those who cared for her during the last five years at Legend Oaks located in New Braunfels, Texas. Her genuine warmth and compassion touched the lives of both residents and staff alike.
Marti’s true passion in life was her family. Raising her three children was her main mission. Ever present at her children’s activities, she was their biggest cheerleader. More importantly, her example of selflessness and her walk of faith gave reason for them to consider her their “hero”. While she loved her children, her true pride and joy was her eleven grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Each one can tell a favorite Mar Mar story or “Mar Mar-ism”. They all were blessed by her Christian walk and undeniable love for the Lord. She will be remembered for her perseverance and her amazing zest for life. It has been said that Heaven has gained a “firecracker”.
Marti is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and sister, Glenda. She is survived by her three sisters; her children, Tommy Gardenhire (Kim), Tal Gardenhire (Jana), and Tana Heflin (Clint); grandchildren, Taylor Barrows (Dustin), Josh Gardenhire, Chase Gardenhire (Amber), Paige Gardenhire, Kalli Gardenhire, Will Gardenhire, Cayde Heflin (Hannah), Tyler Schiller, Kelsey Eoannou (Ryan), Dustin Schiller and Logan Schiller; and great grandchildren Addison, Avery, Adley, Cohen, and Kinsley.
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, December 10, 2023 at Church of Christ, in Hondo, Texas at 2:00 pm and graveside service on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at 11:00 am in O’Donnell, Texas.
Memorial contributions can made to The Hondo Church of Christ.
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