Obituary of Gail Eleanor Gardner

Gail Eleanor Gardner, age 83 died peacefully of natural causes on the morning of Sunday March 16th, 2025, at Sunrise Senior living in Edina Minnesota. Gail was born in Hawarden, Iowa on January 27th, 1942. Her parents were Bruce Miller and Irene Wetrosky, who were running the family farm on the South Dakota/Iowa border. There, she, along with her 3 younger brothers, learned the value of hard work and other practical life experiences that would mold her future endeavors. She took great pride as a 4H member showing her prize calves at the county fair. Growing up in rural Union County, she attended the FEC 31: (Finney Educational Center, a one room schoolhouse) followed by high school at Hawarden Iowa. It was at a local town dance that she met Kent Gardner, her future husband and forever love. They married, quickly started a family, and within 3 short years, had their hands full with 3 very active boys. With Kent quickly advancing as a journalist, they moved from Mankato, MN, to Mason City IA and finally to Richfield, MN, in 1969 working for the Minneapolis Star. With the boys now in school, Gail was driven to pursue Nursing as her own career path. As a Licensed Practical Nurse, she worked at the Minneapolis Veterans Administration Medical Center. She loved the challenge of the work, starting in Surgical care, and ending 33 years later in the clinics. She was a natural care giver, and an outstanding provider to her patients. Through all the challenges in the stressful hospital environment, she found deep and lasting friendships with coworkers, sharing laughter, stories, lunches, and afterwork cocktails (known as “Fluid Rounds”). Her nursing skills paid off as the at home family medical specialist removing stitches and diagnosing other aliments needing attention. With the boys growing older, it allowed Kent and Gail to pursue their love of travel with the family, starting with fishing trips that created a lifelong outdoors passion each of the sons adopted. Rainy Lake in Minnesota was a spiritual place for Kent and Gail. They visited for the next 45 years chasing Walleyes on the grand lake. With Kent by her side, Gail traveled the world boarding 40 cruises, tripping across every continent and countless countries. Above all else, Gail loved Family. She was thrilled with the arrivals of 13 grandchildren over the next few years and embraced family time as priority. She loved to dress up with flair and style, prompting the Grandchildren to guess in advance what earrings she’d be wearing with each outfit. She made every celebration fun, preparing delicious and interesting meals, drinks, and treats. Her “Green Christmas tree” Spritz cookies and hand dipped chocolate covered cherries were family favorites. She truly made fancy out of the ordinary, helping the grandchildren feel special by being served lemon seltzers in heavy glasses grown-up style. She was funny, witty, and had a contagious infectious laugh. Toward her last days, she was asked about her life and adventures with Kent. She said the simple thing that she believed and lived by: “We are blessed”. She is preceded in death by her loving best friend and husband Kent of 61 years, her mother, her father, and brother Bill Miller. She is survived by sons Robert (Debra), Michael (Patty), Grant (Diane), 13 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, Sister-in-Law Marilyn Miller, Brothers Greg Miller (Stephne), and Keith Miller (Shelley). Special thanks to the devoted and loving care givers from Sunrise of Edina and Caretenders Hospice. In lieu of Flowers, please consider a donation to the University of Minnesota landscape Arboretum in Chaska in memory of Gail. A funeral will be held at the Edina Cremation Society of Minnesota, 7110 France Ave. So. Edina, MN, Thursday March 27, meeting from 2:00pm to 5:00pm, with a memorial service at 3:00pm, and reception to follow.