Donna Dee Gardner

Donna Dee Gardner passed away peacefully on March 23, 2024, at Colorow Care Center in Olathe, Colorado.

Donna was born to parents Claude and Helen Witcher on August 20,1937 in Canadian, Texas. The family moved to Delta, Colorado when Donna was a small child, and she went on to graduate from Delta High School in 1955. Throughout high school and college Donna worked for Ben Walker at Benzart Photography studio in Delta, working as an assistant and learning photography. She attended Northwest Nazarene College in Nampa Idaho, through her junior year, then she would say she got her M.R.S. Degree.

She met her lifelong sweetheart, Duane Gardner, in the Delta Nazarene Church and the two were married on August 23, 1959. They moved to Colorado Springs, Burlington and Gypsum, Colorado where Donna made lasting friendships, before returning home to the Western Slope and Montrose.

Donna worked as a substitute teacher, a bookkeeper at J&M Lumber, and at Montrose Valley Funeral Home. She finally retired after working for two insurance agencies in Montrose.

She and husband Duane were adventurers and travelers, making friends all along the way. They explored Hawaii and Europe together, took all three of their grandkids on lengthy US road-trips and drove to Alaska, with Duane’s brother Dean and his wife Carole. They camped at Arrowhead and wintered in Arizona where they built up a community of dear friends.

Donna was a member of the Nazarene Church. She was a lifelong servant of the church. She taught Sunday School and Caravan, worked tirelessly for missions, and she, along with Duane, were Youth Leaders. The annual teen camp-out was a highlight. She was also a proud member of the Western Slope Ladies Ministries at the Church.

Additionally, she was a volunteer for the Colorado Division of Wildlife where she helped monitor and report on the nesting of blue birds for several years. She was a member of the Good Sam’s Club.

Although Donna and Duane were sports enthusiasts and never missed a Broncos or Rockies game, Donna was a diehard Colorado Rockies fan. They were surprised on their 60^th Anniversary by their entire family with a box suite at Coors Field.

Donna had friends all over the world that she made simply by passing through on a vacation or by nurturing her communities during annual visits to places like Arizona. People were drawn to her sweet smile and the way she made everyone feel welcome and included in her world.

Donna is preceded in death by her partner in life and husband of 64 years, Duane Gardner, her beloved son Darrell Gardner, parents Claude and Helen Witcher and in-laws Jasper and Doris Gardner. She is survived by her daughter Cindy (Gene Chuchuru) Gardner of Montrose, son Larry (Lori) Gardner of Vail, Arizona, daughters- in- law Diane (Ken) Gardner Juncker of Evansville, Indiana, and Christina Chuchuru. She is also survived by her pride and joy “The Grandkids,” Christa, Caitlin and Chandler Gardner, Christian, Carter, and Corbin Chuchuru. Also, sister-in law- Robyne (Ken) Showalter, Spokane, Washington and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday April 13, at 11:00 am at The First Church of the Nazarene, 705 S 12^th Street, in Montrose by Pastor Buddy Cook. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The First Church of the Nazarene, in her name, to continue supporting the mission work that was so important to her. Service arrangements are being made through Crippin Funeral Home 970-249-2121.