Elden Gardner

Elden Rex Gardner departed this earth on December 12, 2012 at the St George Utah Hospital after a brief bout with pneumonia. Elden was born 92 years ago in Hayden, Utah on March 14, 1920-the first born son of Rex Lincoln and Zella Maria Allred Gardner. He was an accomplished athlete and achieved the status of all conference in basketball while attending Weber State. He is a veteran of World War II. Elden married Carole Kelsey on November 25, 1949 in Kansas City Missouri. They were married 63 years. Four children were born of that union. Elden and his family owned and operated many various successful businesses throughout their years together. Among those businesses, a ranch in Deep Creek and the Bull Ring in Vernal. Elden is survived by his wife; Carole, children Robyn Jan (Ron) Reay of Salt Lake City, Utah and Rex Lance Gardner of Vernal, siblings; Audrey Stubstad of Emmett, Idaho, Iliff Gardner of Vernal, Hattie Jensen of Neola, Utah, Chell Todd of Cambridge, Idaho, and Claryn Gardner of Vernal, three grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, sons; Elden Layne Gardner and Thomas Blair Gardner, and four siblings. Elden enjoyed a very long and wonderful life and we will celebrate and say good bye to him on Saturday, December 22, 2012 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Blackburn Vernal Mortuary. Elden will be buried next to his two sons in the Maeser Fairview Cemetery with military honors by the American Legion Post 124 and 11 and the Utah Army National Guard. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of the Blackburn Vernal Mortuary.