Grandpa

ORANGEVILLE - Van Johnson Gardner, our loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend courageously passed from mortality on July 22, 2013, with Georgia at his side.  Van was the 7th of what would become 12 children born to George Albert and Irene Ann Johnson Gardner.  He was born on August 5, 1924, in Huntington, Utah.  Van married Georgia Humphrey on October 3, 1946 in the Salt Lake Temple.

A faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Van served throughout his life in leadership callings such as 1st counselor in the Bishopric at age 24, Young Men’s President, and Sunday School Superintendent.  Van and Georgia served a mission together in the South Dakota, Rapid City Mission from 1993-1994.  He also served as an ordinance worker in the Manti Temple.

He joined the Huntington Glee Club in 1940.  He sang at many events with his brothers, numerous others, as well as singing solo.  Van was a coal miner and farmer, and loved his farm and animals.    He served his country honorably during World War II as a member of the Army, stationed for 28 months in the South Pacific Theater. He was a member of the American Legion, and a member of the Huntington Riding Club.  Van was well known for calling and teaching square dancing. He was a member of UMWA Local 6363 for 43 years.

Van is survived by his wife Georgia, children: Lyndon (Shauna Lee) Gardner of Castle Dale, Joyce (Vic) Staley of Orangeville, and Earl (John) Gardner of Ogden; daughters-in law: Beth Gardner of Altamont and Natalie (Jay Mark) Humphrey of Orangeville; 15 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.  Van was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Kathryn, son Darrell, 7 brothers, 2 sisters, and a granddaughter.

Funeral services will be held at the Orangeville 1st Ward, Saturday, July 27, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. with a viewing one hour prior.  A viewing will be held on Friday evening, July 26, 2013 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Heritage Funeral Home, 620 North Main St., Huntington.  Interment will follow after the service at the Orangeville City Cemetery under the trusted care of the Heritage Funeral Home.

This is one of my favorite pictures of Grandpa and I. It was taken during my Jr. Prom. He was able to dance (which was really just a shuffle) with me. 

I have a few memories of Grandpa. He was always on the farm fixing fence, moving cows. or anything else that needed to be done. He was a hard worker who provided for his family.

When I was really little I remember him taking me out with him to get eggs from the chickens. The chickens intimidated me. He held my hand and made me do it. Needless to say I think I only did this twice maybe three times. He took all the grandkids on horseback rides. That was Grandpa's thing with Uncle Darrell. 

Anytime we had loose tooth and showed Grandpa he had a "special" way of pulling it out. Really all he did was put his fingers in your mouth and he would pull. All of my teeth he did this to were so loose I didn't even realize he had pulled them out. He would just smile then show you the tooth. The problem with that was then I could taste the blood and I would freak out. I would run to the bathroom and wash out my mouth.

My Grandparents/Family were sports. My cousin D'Lee and I use to put on shows for them that would last for a good hour. They always watched and never complained. In fact they encouraged us to keep using our imagination.

I was in Fourth Grade and my class had put on a program around Memorial Day. My grandparents came to support me. They came to the assembly during the day that we put on for the school. There was a song were veterans would stand up when there "song" was played. Up until my Grandpa's song had been called no one had stood up. When he stood up for his song I had the biggest grin on my face. That was my Grandpa, the coolest and most awesome man ever! I was extremely proud that he was my grandpa and that I could claim him!

I'm grateful for the example Grandpa was to me. I could have never asked for such a great man to be in life. Thanks Grandpa!

College Round 2

This has been my year so far. I didn't take a lot of pics so sorry. It has been a great year, and I have had some amazing roomates and great experiences. I have learned a lot about myself. Thanks to everyone who has helped me grow in the last year!

Roomates/Megan's Bachelorette

 The cat that adopted us...

 Megan's Reception

Institute Choir at Temple Square

 Choir

 Breakaway

Utah's Version of Pride Rock

2nd Ward

Grandma Mathis

Helen Christena Neilsen Mathis age 95, passed away on December 14, 2012 in Green River Utah. She was born in Mona, Utah on August 19, 1917 to John Strong Neilsen and Hazel Vest Neilsen. She was the third of thirteen children. After graduating from Juab County High School, Helen became a Registered Nurse through Salt Lake General Hospital. She began her nursing career in Carbon County after being hired by the Hospital Superintendent, Murray Mathis. They later married on august 19, 1939 in the Salt Lake Temple. He died June 1, 1993. Helen lived her entire married life in Price, where she raised five children and was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She served in many callings, including more than a decade as a temple worker. A lifetime learner, she opened up her home to her grandchildren, nieces and nephews while they attended The College of Eastern Utah. Her interests included sewing, reading, bird watching, gardening, travel and feeding people. Her family is grateful for her legacy of faith and her nurturing generous spirit.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brothers and sister: John (Zola), Reed (Joan), and Mary (Arland), and two grandchildren.

She is survived by her children, Stan (Jerilyn) Mathis, Castle Dale Utah, Ann (Lee) Thayn, Green River, Utah, Wayne (Dianne) Mathis, Stafford, Virginia, Mary (Boyd) Thayn, Wellington, Utah, Elizabeth Gardner, Altamont, Utah, 18 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren, brothers, James (Verdi), Paul (Edna), Calvin (Sarah), Grant (Roberta) and sister, Elaine. A special thanks to Community Nursing Services which enabled mom to remain at home.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Price LDS 4th Ward Chapel, 540 East 400 North. A viewing will be held on Tuesday, December 18, 2012 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Fausett Mortuary in Price, 680 East 100 South, and also on Wednesday one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the Price City Cemetery. Services are in the care of Fausett Mortuary. Family and friends may sign the guest book and share memories of Helen at www.fausettmortuary.com.

Grandma was an elect lady as Uncle Wayne said today and I agree. She was such a great example to us. She had a love of music. So much that she payed for my piano lessons which I am so grateful for! There are so many more things I could say but I will just share a few memories I have and a couple I heard from other family members.

I remember meals at Grandma's house. They weren't meals until the placements were out and the table was set. The milk had to be set on the table as well and it was usually warm. None of my siblings or I liked warm milk so we would add ice to ours. Then we got smart and only put Grandmas milk out until it was time to eat. On the first night we would come she made spaghetti since it was my favorite food at the time. She would always have breakfast ready in the morning too. It always consisted of hot cereal.

Christmas Eve was spent at Grandma and Grandpa's house until the family got to big and Grandma to old. These were some fun times. I remember recorder playing. Nobody was ever together and no matter how many times you practiced, it still never came together. There was always a big Christmas Tree by the window with presents underneath. Christmas morning would come and Santa had found us and left many wonderful gifts.

Grandma was a gardener. That's where I would find her in the mornings. She had a beautiful collection of roses that smelled so sweet. Behind all the flowers were her vegetables and fruits. I remember once we were out picking cherry tomatoes and she was trying to make me eat them. I told her I didn't like them. Eventually I think I ate 1 so she would stop telling me to eat some. Her raspberries were to die for. I could almost mean literally because by the time you came out from picking you had scrapes all over.

One time Meg, Uncle Boyd, David, Kara, and I were playing soccer in the backyard. Now Grandma didn't have much lawn in the back. Right next to it were her roses. Well Uncle Boyd was going for the soccer ball and lost his footing and fell into the roses. The game ended and Boyd went in to wash his wounds. His legs were scraped up and down. Grandma came into the kitchen and took one look at Uncle Boyd and said "My Roses!" Then she went outside to check them before she came back in to see how Boyd was.

Grandma was very independent and was for a long time. My cousin Michael brought a walker for my Grandma to use to help her walk. As the story goes they put the walker in front of Grandma and on the count of 3 she was suppose to walk with it. So they counted and on 3 she moved the walker to the side of her and walked away without it.

Grandma has no sense of direction (must be where I get it from). On her Trip to Hawaii she had a what I would call a pretty big blond moment. She looked out over the ocean and asked, "Is this water man made?" Someone replied by saying, "Only if you believe in God lady."

Grandma had a bragging right. I remember the first time she told me it. We were in her bedroom and she had a picture of the Prophets on her wall. So she was pointing them out to me and she stopped at David O. McKay. She looked at me and then told me she was married by him and was kissed on the cheek. She always said she was kissed by a prophet.

May we always remember Grandma and the legacy she left us. Cherish the memories we have made. We love you Grandma and we all know that it's not the mostest. 

Arches

On November 3 I had the opportunity to go to Arches for the fist time. I went with Meg, Aunt Mary, Uncle Boyd, David, Kara, Kate, Laird, Ethan, Duncan, Liam, Jackson, Lily, and Asher. We stopped in Moab first to see Kate and Laird's house. Since the weather was so nice we also decided to go on a bike ride. It was a fun day and I'm glad I got to go!