1900 ~ 2004
Thelma Petersen Gardner departed this life peacefully at her home in Walnut Creek, California on October 16, 2004.
Daughter of Soren Petersen and Annie Elizabeth Scarborough, she was born in Logan, Utah Sept 4, 1900. One of the memorable events of her early life was when she skipped school to watch Theodore Roosevelt riding down Logan's Main St. campaigning for the presidency of the United States. In 1912 the family moved to Portland Oregon, where Thelma was one of the Rose Parade Princesses. Thelma returned to Logan and lived with Aunt Jo (her father's sister) while she attended the "AC" (now Utah State University). Graduating in Home Economics, she was a beautiful seamstress and an expert in all kinds of embroidery and hand work which she taught to high school students. At the "AC" she had met a tall, dark and handsome football player, Roi Gardner who became her husband four years later. They were married for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple March 13, 1928. They lived in Salt Lake where Roi was a banker and six years later they packed the whole family, Joanne, 6, Barney, 3, Louise, 6 weeks, and Thelma's mother, Annie Petersen, and drove to California. Living in Oakland until 1940, they then built a new home in the Berkeley hills. World War II began in 1941 and Roi left for the South Pacific as a captain in the Army Air Corps. Thelma was a stalwart at home, coping with rationing (gas and food), putting cardboard in the children's shoes, having family prayers, and writing daily V-mails to Roi. Four years later Roi came home to his rejoicing family and became a real estate broker with Thelma as one of his agents. Thelma loved her Church work and was a perfect bishop's wife. She was also president of the Relief Society three times, president for the Primary and worked in all other organizations. She and Roi loved to dance and met with a group of other friends who enjoyed twirling around the floor. The children finally all left home and got married so Roi and Thelma moved to Rossmoor where they lived until Roi's death in 1978. Thelma lived alone and spent much of her time cheering and helping others. Remarkably, by personal contact, she gave out over 500 copies of The Book of Mormon to everyone she met. She had each one promise to read the book before she would let them have it...and all this in the last ten years of her life! She has been a guiding light not only to her own family, but to everyone with whom she came in contact.
Thelma is survived by her sister, Ann Petersen Maughan, daughter, Joanne Gardner Barker, son, Dr. LeRoi Barnum (Barney) Gardner, Jr., 14 grandchildren, 28 great-grand-children; great-granddaughter, Emma Barker to be born in November. Preceded in death by her husband, Le Roi Barnum Gardner; brothers, Lester Petersen, Vincent Petersen, Theodore Soren Petersen, Eldon Petersen; sister, Elsie Petersen Peterson; grandsons, Steven LeRoi Kenner, Matthew Michael Himes.
Funeral Service Saturday Oct. 30, at Lafayette Ward 2369 Overlook Drive Walnut Creek. Viewing 10 a.m. Funeral 11 a.m. Graveside Service at 11 am Monday, November 1st, at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.