Barbara Gardner

Barbara Gardner
Boulder, Utah

Barbara Coleman Gardner, 91, passed away at her home in Boulder, Utah on May 4. 2022.  Barbara was born January 23, 1931 to Esther Peterson and Parley Franklin Coleman, in Salt Gulch, (Boulder) Utah. She was the ninth of 14 children—brothers: Hyrum, LaFay, Frank, Dan, Don, Jerry; and sisters: Bessie, Edna, Ada, Fern, Leah, Gay, and Clo.

Barbara lived with her family in Salt Gulch most of her childhood. During the school year, her mother and the children would move into Boulder and Escalante so they could attend school.  She attended elementary school in Boulder, and high school in Kanab, Wayne County, and Escalante. She graduated from Escalante High School, and earned a scholarship to Dixie College in St. George. There she met her eternal companion, Leo Gardner.  They were married on December 16, 1949, in the St. George Temple.   Together they raised nine children: David (Cindi) Gardner, Ivins and Richmond, UT; Kenneth (Angie) Gardner, Smithfield, UT; Larry (Hettie) Gardner, Enoch, UT; Barbara Dawn (Vaughn) Evans, Logandale, NV; Linda (Mike) Staheli, Smithfield, UT;  Pat (Kelly) Shakespear, Tropic, UT; Kevin (Colene) Gardner, Boulder, UT;  Carol (Brent) Stratton, Lacey, WA;  and Ray (Caroline) Gardner, Boulder, UT.

Barbara and Leo began their married life in St. George, then moved to Henderson, Nevada.  They returned to Utah and lived in Enterprise and Beryl for 27 years where Leo farmed, and Barbara enjoyed raising large gardens and being involved in many church and community activities.  In 1980, the Gardner’s moved back to Barbara’s hometown of Boulder, where Leo pursued ranching, with Barbara working by his side.  She continued her gardening, church and community work, and made quilts for each of her grandchildren. Leo passed away on October 10, 2018, after 69 years together. Barbara stayed in Boulder, enjoying family and friends.

Barbara and Leo have 47 grandkids and 86 great-grandkids, with more on the way.   Barbara is survived by her children and grandchildren; surviving siblings:  Gay, Dan, Don, and Clo.  She is preceded in death by her husband, Leo; parents; her siblings: Bessie, Hyrum, Edna, Ada, Fern, LaFay, Leah, Frank and Jerry; and her grandsons: Randy and Seth.
The family wishes to thank her neighbors and friends for their caring acts and prayers.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, at 12:00 Noon in the Boulder Ward Chapel, 180 East, 300 North, Boulder, Utah, where friends may call from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Boulder Cemetery. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com