Gardner, Belle Edith

Belle Edith Gardner, 89, died Nov. 11, 2010, at Heritage Nursing & Rehab Center after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Services: 11 a.m. Thursday at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories. Pastor Sam Dronebarger of Noelridge Park Church will officiate. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home and after 10 a.m. Thursday at the chapel.

Surviving are her children, Ronald (Patricia) Gardner of Cedar Rapids, Barbara Hosford of Hiawatha, Linda (Daniel) Tyo of Springville and Marvin (Cheryl) Gardner of Des Moines; 13 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard, of 68 years; her parents; two sisters, Dorothy Boesenberg and Trudy Hass; a brother, Ted Demory; an infant sister, Lois; and a son-in-law, Clayton Hosford.

Belle Gardner was born Aug. 13, 1921, in Cedar Rapids, the daughter of Earl and Gertrude (Moore) Demory. She was united in marriage to Howard Gardner on Oct. 18, 1939. She worked for Sears as a tailor for 25 years. She enjoyed Christmas and birthdays, always making her family feel special. She also spent time making candies and loved her Shirley Temple dolls and movies; among her favorite things was the traditional Christmas red velvet cake. She was a former member of New Covenant Bible Church. Belle and Howard enjoyed their time volunteering at the Sunshine Acres Children's Home in Mesa, Ariz., for 10 years. She greatly cherished her time spent with her family; they take great comfort in knowing she is with the Lord in heaven.

She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

The family would like to thank Heritage Nursing & Rehab Center and the Mercy Hospice staff for the special care given to Belle.

Memorial donations may be made to Sunshine Acres Children's Home, 3405 N. Higley Rd., Mesa, AZ 85215.

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