Marvin A. Gardner passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015, at his home in Aztec, N.M. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Woodruff, preceded by a viewing from 9 to 9:50 a.m.
Marvin was born Sept. 13, 1946, in Snowflake, the fifth child of John and Kathelene Gardner. His siblings are Brenda (Glen Johnson), David (Ann), Max (Virginia), Karen (Charles McLaws), Peggy (Benny Goodman), Arnold, Donald (Connie) and Aleda Gardner, all of whom survive him.
He lived in Woodruff on the family farm until he graduated from Holbrook High School, except for two years when the family lived in Pomerene. After high school graduation, he attended Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff for one year before serving a two-year mission for the LDS church in Guatemala and El Salvador.
After returning from his mission, Marvin married Nora Baldwin. They are the parents of three children, Marlin Dean (Jennifer), Lisa Ann (Scott Bracken) and Jesse Conrad (Sherri).
Marvin was a businessman and his wife worked alongside him. In Holbrook they owned and operated the A&W. Marvin was known for his hamburgers and taco tangos. When they sold the A&W to Marvin’s brother David, Marvin went to work for Adair Merrill in New Mexico in order to learn the hog farm business.
He then returned to Woodruff and built a hog farm, which he ran for several years before buying the Tropic Ice Plant in St. George, Utah. He sold this business and moved to Gallup, N.M., where he opened a Laundromat. He later opened a second Laundromat in Farmington, N.M., and moved to Aztec, where he found the place he wanted to spend the rest of his life. He loved his pond, where he could fish, boat or lie in his hammock and watch the wildlife.
When his wife began to have health problems, he lovingly cared for her for years until she passed away on Feb. 14, 2011. Without her, he was very lonely, but got much satisfaction and enjoyment from his three children, 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, all of whom survive him.
He was preceded in death by his wife and his parents.
