Donald Edward Gardner

Donald Edward Gardner, 84, passed away on December 30, 2016. Don was born on March 18, 1932 to Fred and Bettie (Ladrow) Gardner in Bend, Oregon. Don is survived by his wife of 61 years Jean Arden (Kyle) Gardner, son Mark Robert Gardner of Keizer, daughter Karen (Gardner) Anderson, her husband Mike Anderson and 2 grandchildren Brittany and Dakota Anderson of Arizona, several cousins and a number of nieces and nephews. Don was preceded in death by his parents and his older brother Robert Earl Gardner.

Don graduated from Bend High School in 1950. In his youth, Don enjoyed hunting, fishing and scouting. He attended Willamette University to two years (1950-1952), then served in the U.S. Navy for four years (1952-1956) during the Korean War. He returned home and completed his degree in Economics at Willamette in 1958. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Don worked for Mortgage Ban Corp. for 24 years, then for the State Dept. of Veterans Affairs and retired after working for the State Housing Division. Don volunteered weekly at the Salem/Keizer food band from 1999 until he passed.

Don enjoyed reading, watching College and Pro football and restoring and driving Model A cars. He was active with Willamette Valley Chapter Model A Ford Club of America for many years. He was known for his humor and jokes.

Don will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Memorial services will be held on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. at John Knox Presbyterian Church, 452 Cummings Lane N. Keizer. Donations can be made to Salem/Keizer Food Bank, John Knox Presbyterian Church of St. Jude Medical Inc.