On the evening of March 16, 2024, Patricia Ann Gardner passed away peacefully in Billings, MT, surrounded and supported by her loved ones.
Patricia Ann was born in Miles City, MT on December 26, 1951, to James C and Rose Marie "Mickey" (Shy) Phillips. On December 25, 1951, Mickey told Jim it was time to head to Miles City for the birth of their third child, but with below freezing temperatures of -32 degrees, their car wouldn't start. So, they had to patiently wait for Uncle Pistol and Tony Hanic to get home and help them before the couple could head to the hospital, which was nearly two hours away. But that wasn't the end of the frantic trip, as only 12 miles outside of Miles City, they ran out of gas! Pat's life was full of adventure from the very beginning.
Pat attended grade school in Ashland and graduated from Broadus High School in 1970. She attended Parks School of Business in Denver, CO, then moved to Billings, MT and worked at First Citizens Bank until she married her high school sweetheart, Dave Gardner, on June 22, 1974.
They lived at Hammond for three years, then moved to Broadus where Dave started his CPA office.
After Pat's dad died in 1981, they leased the ranch in 1982 and moved to Home Creek where they raised their three boys, Josh, Tyler and Todd.
She was Clerk for School District 32J for 10 years, and when the boys were in school in Broadus, she started helping Dave at the office. After 22 years, she decided to "retire" and spend time caring for her grandchildren, Griffin and Mariah. Spending time and playing with them was the highlight of her week.
However, she began missing people and an office atmosphere, so she went back to work part-time for the FSA in September, 2017. When Dave retired from his CPA practice in 2019, she retired with him, and they soon began their adventures to Yuma, AZ in the wintertime.
Being a Nana was her most valued role in life and she spent the last 20 years showing everyone how to be a great one. She has seven of the "best ever" grandkids and she enjoyed being with them whenever she could. She was a fierce protector and they loved her as deeply as she loved them. She may have spoiled them, but her reply to their parents was, "Nothing is going to happen to them on my watch!!" It was never dull with Nana Pat around. She didn't think the TV needed to be on when the grandkids were at the house, so there was always an activity happening, typically something fun she came up with. Cooking in the kitchen was everyone's favorite, and the girls can all remember some crazy thing that happened as they helped Nana. One could always see the Buick headed to Sheridan or Broadus for an activity with her grandchildren, and she loved watching their sporting events.
Pat was a member of the Fair Board, Powder River Manor Board, Sports Boosters, Chamber of Commerce, and a 4-H leader. She loved following her boys with their interests and was their number #1 fan. Later in life, Pat fell in love with the game of golf under the mentorship of her good friend, Carole Richards. They became longtime golf partners and spent many years on the course together. It was undoubtedly her favorite pastime to spend with Dave, her family and friends.
Pat was loved by all who knew her, and she devoted her time to supporting others in need and causes and organizations whose mission was to help better their communities. Pat survived cancer twice and was an inspiration to many. The Cancer Fund was created in her honor by the Gardner family to help provide support for community members who were fighting their own cancer battle. In Yuma, she participated in the Street Mission, providing food to the homeless. She was an organ donor posthumously. She provided food for families over the holidays, volunteered at the St V's thrift store in Broadus, and gifted gas cards when someone was in need. "I'm so proud of Pat, and how she lived her life, even in death. And she did all this ever so quietly not needing any public recognition. That sounds like an angel among us. My cup runneth over." ~Dave.
Pat was incredibly witty and had the best sense of humor. You could count on her to make you laugh, even in hard times. She had an amazing way of seeing life, in the good and the bad, and her love of Jesus was her strength. During her first battle with cancer, she would say, 'tough times don't last, tough people do." Although she was small, she was indeed mighty, and her grandkids have always thought of her as the toughest lady they know.
Pat left a special message to her sons, Josh, Tyler & Todd, and their families: "You are the light of my life, the joy of my days, the solace in sorrow, my light in the dark, and the hope of my heart. There was no greater joy for Dad and I than you and your children. May you be as lucky as I have been - to love and be loved by you." ~MOM
Pat was preceded in death by her parents, James C. and Rose Marie (Shy) Phillips, her step-father, Alvin Howard, her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Irene L. Gardner and Edwin D. Gardner, and a nephew, Geoffrey Gardner.
Pat is survived by her husband, David E. Gardner, and their three sons, Josh (Misty) Gardner of Sheridan, WY, Tyler (Kelli) Gardner of Ashland, MT, and Todd (Nicole) Gardner of Broadus, MT; seven grandchildren: Ellie, Libby, Shelbi, Kendall, Griffin, Mariah, and Nash; a brother, Dave (Cathy) Phillips of Lewistown, MT, and two sisters, Kathy (Verne) Schlepp of Miles City, MT and Peggy (Kenny) Kolka of Volborg, MT; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Family to Receive Friends will occur Friday, March 29, 2024, from 3-6pm at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Broadus, MT. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at 1:00pm at Faith Bible Church in Broadus, MT. A reception will follow at the Broadus Community Center.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Broadus Cancer Fund, c/o Tyler Gardner, 20 Gardner Road, Ashland, MT 59003. Funeral arrangements are being made by Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City, and condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: wwwstevensonandsons .com.
The family would like to express its sincere gratitude and appreciation to all of the St. Vincent Regional Hospital staff who cared for Pat during her final weeks, as well as Dr. Patrick Cobb for the past 22 years of expert treatment, guidance and compassion.
Reader Comments(0)