Jennie Gardner

Another of our senior citizens died. Jenny Gardner, was living at the care center in Afton and was 103 years old. Funeral services were held on Wednesday Dec 29. Jennie Low Gardner died Christmas morning after having lived 103 years. She was born Nov 3, 1896 in a log cabin in Afton. She was the second of six children born to Osborne Low and Mary Ann Kennington. AS a teenager she worked for her father as a switchboard operator for the telephone company in the valley. She grew up on a farm and loved to ride and race horses. Jennie was married to Bruce Lavere Gardner Aug 23, 1918 and to this union were born eight children. Low, Scott, Shirley, Dee, Anna, Thelma, Grant and Karen. Jennie and Vere moved to the ranch south of Afton in April of 1920. They walked through three feet of snow to their new home where they lived and raised their family. She witnessed the first cars, telephones, televisions, radio, movie pictures and the greatest mystery of all computers. She saw the first man in space, and many medical wonders. She loved her country and her freedom. A tear rolled down her cheek every tie she saw the American flag waving. Jennie painted three oil paintings as a young girl, at the age of 75 she started taking oil painting lessons. she enjoyed reading, painting, sketching, sleigh riding and horseback riding. she was well known for her vegetable and flower gardens, which were shared with all that came to visit. she traveled across the United States but most of her journeys were taken in her rocking chair with a good book. Jennie's dreams have been realized in her posterity of 181 direct descendants. After Vere died she spent her summers at the ranch and the winters with her children, until two years ago. Any and all were welcome in her home and kept there as long as possible to visit. She greatly appreciated all the kindness shown to her. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lavere, son Dee, daughter Anna, a grandson who gave his life in Vietnam and a great grandson who died while serving an LDS Mission. She is survived by six of her children, 35 grandchildren, 102 great grandchildren 36 great great grandchildren and 12 step grandchildren.