Nelda Gardner

Our wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Nelda Fae Gardner, passed from this mortal life and through the veil on December 7, 2024. She was 82 years old. We are sure as she passed through the veil she had a joyful reunion with her parents, Zenetta and Ervin Hansen, sister Darlene, who died at birth, sister Joyce, and brothers Laren and Keith. We know she was especially thrilled to meet Darlene.

Mom was born on April 19, 1942, in Idaho Falls to Ervin Francis Hansen and Zenetta (Roberts) Hansen. She was the third of seven children and grew up in a household full of love and hard work.

Mom worked beside her mother at Porter’s Nursing Home from an early age where she learned her love for nursing. She later attended Rick’s College in Rexburg, Idaho, where she earned an Associate’s Degree in Nursing and started working at the LDS Hospital (later known as Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls) in the the nursery. Two years later, she moved to the Labor and Delivery Department. After several years, she was offered the Department Head position for Labor and Delivery, a position which she enjoyed for almost 38 years. After retiring from EIRMC, Mom worked for Bingham Memorial Hospital, District 7 Health Care, a group home and home health care, finally retiring after 45 years. Mom enjoyed the work and especially enjoyed dealing with the newborn babies and their mothers.

Mom met and married Keith D Gardner in Idaho Falls on August 10, 1962. They were later sealed for time and eternity in the Ogden, Utah, LDS Temple. To this Union were born four children; Alan, Craig (Lesley), Natalie (Kenneth) Felt and Janel (Kris) Herup. Mom also has nine grandchildren and multiple great-grandchildren.

In her life, mom most enjoyed her family and camping and, after retirement, could be found most summer weekends camping with Dad and their “camping group” at Stoddard Creek Campground.

Mom was preceded in death by her parents, brother Laren, brother Keith, Sister Joyce, and infant sister Darlene. We know that they were all waiting for her when she crossed through the veil and we know that their reunion was sweet.

Mom’s services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 13, 2024, at the Parley Ward, 1660 12th Street, Idaho Falls, Idaho. The family will visit with friends from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, December 12, 2024, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 North Ridge Avenue, and from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will be in Fielding Memorial Park.

Condolences can be sent to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.com.