Honoring Tradition.
Celebrating Life.
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Sandra Gardner

October 10, 1937 - October 29, 2021
Grand Rapids, MI

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Visitation

Wednesday, November 3, 2021
10:00 AM EDT
Orchard Hill Reformed Church
1465 3 Mile Rd NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49544
Web Site

Service

Wednesday, November 3, 2021
11:00 AM EDT
Orchard Hill Reformed Church
1465 3 Mile Rd NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49544
Web Site

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Hospice of Michigan
989 Spaulding SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49301
(616) 454-1426
Driving Directions
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ball Park Floral
8 Valley Ave.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 459-3409
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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When reflecting on the life of Sandra Gardner, it is easy to see her unwavering strength and her unconditional love for her family. She was a shining example of faith and kindness, which made her such an inspiration to those around her. Sandra was a serving member of her community, and she was always willing to help those around her in ways both great and small. She understood the importance of hard work and responsibility, and it was reflected in everything she did. Deeply loved, Sandra will be dearly missed.

The 1930s brought us some of the most trying days we have faced as a nation as the entire decade was cloaked in the hardship of the Great Depression. Jobs were scarce, the unemployment rate soared, and things even became more dire when a drought gripped our nation’s heartland for nearly two years during this time. Despite the challenging days, there was much to be celebrated on October 10, 1937, as Sandra was welcomed into the world.

Growing up, Sandra was a typical young girl of her generation. She was raised in the family home alongside her older brother, Arian, and the two were very close. Sandra’s father supported the family by putting buses sold by General Motors into service, and her mother balanced raising a family with working in manufacturing. Faith was very important to the family, and they attended Fairview Reformed Church off Alpine together. Sandra fell in love with horses at a young age, and she had a horse of her own and even rode it to school. Sandra also loved to go swimming, and she would even take her horse into the water as well! She attended local schools including Union High School where she played basketball. They were a great team that even won a championship together. Sandra was very friendly and outgoing, and she loved being around people and making new friends.

Tragedy struck Sandra’s life when her mother began to suffer from cancer. Her father moved to Minnesota and brought her mother to Canada for treatments that were not available in the United States. Unfortunately, Sandra’s mother passed away when Sandra was seventeen.

New and exciting changes were on the horizon for Sandra as she met the man who would one day become her husband. His name was Douglas Gardner, and the two first met while attending school together. They became high school sweethearts, and over time, their relationship continued to blossom. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together, Sandra and Doug were married in the presence of family and friends. They would go on to enjoy nearly 65 years together.

Over the years, Sandra’s family grew to include three beloved children, Mary, Thomas, and Karen. She was a devoted and caring mother, and she was a wonderful homemaker who was able to provide a comfortable home for her family. Sandra did her best to raise her children into kind and responsible individuals. Later in life, she was overjoyed to become a grandmother and even a great-grandmother. Family was always Sandra’s first priority, and she was always willing to make sacrifices for her loved ones.

In order to support herself and her family, Sandra worked in the payroll department at Meijer for 23 years. She was also a lifelong member of Fairview, which eventually became Orchard Hill Reformed Church. Sandra taught the children in Sunday school and was also involved in AWANA. She was always looking for opportunities to serve others and show God’s presence in her life, and she was able to touch the hearts and lives of countless others through her work.

Never one to sit still for long, Sandra pursued several hobbies in her free time. She loved sewing, and she also enjoyed the beauty of nature. Sandra’s favorite kind of flower was red petunia, and she loved seeing hummingbirds. She liked spending time in the kitchen, and there was no food she wasn’t willing to try. Sandra especially loved making the Dutch dishes that her own mother used to make. Outgoing and friends, she was always a social butterfly with a large group of girlfriends.

As her family and friends can attest, Sandra Gardner truly understood the secret to a life well lived. She was continually supportive of her loved ones, and she was known for her great smile. Sandra was a constant source of strength, even in the most difficult of times. She was deeply devoted to her friends and family. Though she will be deeply missed, Sandra leaves behind a priceless legacy that her loved ones will proudly carry on in her footsteps.

Sandra L. Gardner (McClellan) age 84, was called to her heavenly home and into the arms of her Lord and Savior on October 29, 2021. She will be lovingly remembered by her high school sweetheart and husband of 65 years, Douglas. Sandra was a loving, caring wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Throughout her life, Sandra was comforted by God's Word, membership in her church, Fairview Reformed, that later became Orchard Hill Reformed Church. She retired from Meijer after 23 years of service. Besides her husband, Sandra is survived by her children, Mary (Noel) Martin of Virginia Beach, VA, Thomas (Mary) Gardner of Cedar Springs, Karen (Jim) Skiver of Walker; grandchildren, Miranda Gardner, Alan Gardner, Zach (Angie) Skiver, Josh Skiver, Krista (Matt) Pargiello, Joseph Martin; and great grandchildren, Jenny, Anna, Jasmine, Gwen, Rose; brothers-in-law, Ron (Luanne) Gardner, Jim Ossewaarde; sisters-in-law, Geralyn Gardner and Sally Strickland. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at 11 AM at Orchard Hill Reformed Church, 1465 3 Mile Rd NW. Friends may visit with family beginning at 10 AM. Interment will be in Washington Park Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Michigan.

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