Ila Mary Gardner

Ila Mary Christensen Gardner, 91 Ila earned her wings March 9th, 2015, finally able to join her beloved husband Dr. David Bruce Gardner who passed January 9th, 2013. Ila was born May 19th, 1923 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was the fourth and youngest child born to Fern LaPrele Pickett and John Franklin Christensen. Both Ila and her husband were the last living representatives of their generations in their respective families, having been preceded in death by their parents and a combination of 14 siblings and their spouses. A true representative of the depression era in which she grew up, Ila was an amazingly resilient person, able to adapt and thrive in a variety of conditions. She was humbly grateful for even the smallest of possessions. Although she lost her hearing and eyesight on the left side due to childhood illnesses, anyone meeting her couldn't tell and she never let it limit her. That set the tone for her life. She was able to master everything she attempted. She met her husband, David, in their 10th grade geometry class when the teacher moved her seat to the back of the class to break up a rowdy bunch of boys which included David. She had never traveled outside of Utah when during WWII; she boarded a plane to fly cross country to marry her fiancé at his Army Air Corps base in Florida. Thus began their union of many years. They were preparing to celebrate their 68th anniversary when David passed, after which life was never the same for Ila. From her humble beginnings, Ila grabbed life with gusto. She did secretarial work for bank and college presidents, helping to support her husband through graduate studies and the completion of his PhD at Cornell. They were living in Ithaca, New York when their first child, Don, was born. They chose this name to honor David's beloved brother who was killed in WWII. Ila accompanied her husband, a college professor and department head with teaching appointments to many states including New York, Utah, Iowa and Colorado, with summer positions in Oregon and Wisconsin. The family was at Utah State in Logan when their first daughter, Chris, was born and at Iowa State University in Ames when their third and last child, Anita, was born. In each of these settings, Ila was known for entertaining the college department with large dinner parties. She was a very talented cook, and a master at baking, sewing, gardening, canning and excelled in all things 'homemaking'. At many of the universities where her husband was posted she also took art classes. Ila was a gifted artist interested in watercolors, ceramics and graphic design. She created several business logos and won first place in the Canon City Fine Arts Association logo design contest. She loved to travel and was able to see much of the United States by accompanying her pilot husband in the small private airplane that they owned. Ila took flying lessons and was certified to take over control of the plane in case of an emergency. She always enjoyed going for rides; it didn't matter what the mode; cars, airplanes or even on the back of David's many different motorcycles! She also tried her hand in business, successfully starting several small businesses with her husband following his retirement as department head from Colorado State University. She dedicated her life to support the dreams and ambitions of her husband and to manage the household and raise her family. She was very proud of all her grandchildren. She loved babies and dogs and a picture of either one was sure to bring a smile to her face. Ila had a wonderful sense of humor. Though she faced multiple health challenges in recent years including Alzheimer's which robbed her of so very much, Ila was still able to enjoy a good joke. A smile and a good belly laugh became a daily goal. The last 18 years of Ila and David's life together were spent in Pueblo West, Colorado. Ila relocated to Arvada, Colorado in 2013 following David's passing. She is survived by 3 children; Don Bruce Gardner of Colorado Springs, Christine G. King (Dan) of Kennewick Washington, and Anita G. Azari (Aaron) of Arvada, Colorado. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren, the first great-grandchild on the way and many extended family members across the country. The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers of the Colorado Lutheran Home and Halcyon Hospice for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to charities that Ila and David consistently supported during their lives; particularly UNICEF or the Alzheimer's Association. The obituary for Ila's late husband, Dr. David Bruce Gardner ran in the Pueblo Chieftain during February 2013. The following is a reprint: Dr. David Bruce Gardner, husband, father and grandfather, veteran, professor, author, pilot, and entrepreneur, has returned home. He was born on December 7th, 1924, the seventh son and youngest of ten siblings born of the union of Joseph Angel Gardner and Martha Blunck Gardner, an East Mill Creek family in Salt Lake City, Utah. A member of ""The Greatest Generation"", he served in World War II, as navigator on a B-29 in the Army Air Corps. He was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars. While serving in the Philippines he competed in track for the Army Olympics. In 1945, David Bruce married his high school sweetheart, Ila Mary Christensen and was her soul mate and constant companion for nearly 68 years. After the War, he earned his Bachelors and Masters Degrees in psychology from the University of Utah, where he also represented the school in track. He earned his Ph.D. from Cornell University in 1952 in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in Guidance Counseling and Child Development and Family Relations. Thus began an academic and professional journey that was to become his life's work. He taught at various institutions including Iowa State and the University of Denver, and retired from Colorado State University in Fort Collins as Department Chair in Child Development. He authored a child development book that was used as a college text and served as President of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) from 1974-1976. His love for children was reflected in all of his endeavors, from working with Native American children of the Hopi Nation and the national Head Start Program, to coordinating Western Colorado services for children with developmental disabilities, to championing the rights of the underprivileged within the CASA program. He touched the lives of local children, garnering the distinction of Pueblo's CASA Volunteer of the Year in 2001. Following retirement, he ventured into the business world, founding and operating several different companies including Child Development Systems, which among other services manufactured an original personalized children's book. He delighted in clever wordplay and was prolific with written word throughout his life, writing in all genres from poetry to professional and scholarly journal contributions. In recent years, he wrote columns and editorials as well as feature articles for various local publications including the Focus Feature Magazine from Montrose, the Canon City Daily Record, the Pueblo West View and the Empire magazine previously published by the Denver Post. He also contributed articles to 'Flying' magazine and Reader's Digest. He regularly and quietly wrote, never expecting or seeking recognition for himself, but only for the ideas he was espousing. His most recent work, compiled after years of extensive research, was a historical fiction novel that explored events in his Mormon background that had influenced his entire life. Throughout his life, David Bruce enjoyed traveling and aspired to the motto that one should never take the same road twice- but discover a new path. He earned his private pilot's license after the War and delighted in being able to take his loving wife on trips in the 3 different aircraft they had owned in his younger years. He also enjoyed riding motorcycles and combined this with another interest, camping, taking several biking cross-country camping trips. He also enjoyed woodworking and playing the piano until arthritis robbed him of that pleasure. His last years were lovingly and totally dedicated to caring for his ailing wife and maintaining their independence in their home in Pueblo West. He was preceded in death by both parents and all of his brothers and sisters. He is survived by his wife Ila, a son, Don B. Gardner of Colorado Springs, a daughter, Christine G. King (Dan) of Kennewick, Washington, and a daughter, Anita G. Azari (Aaron) of Arvada, and 10 grandchildren. His passing leaves a huge void in the lives and ache in the hearts of those who loved him, but it can honestly and proudly be said ""His was a life well lived!"" He died at home in Pueblo West. Arrangements are pending at Ft. Logan National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to one of the several organizations that David Bruce and Ila have consistently supported, especially UNICEF or the Alzheimer's Association. A joint Committal Service for both Ila and David will be held at Fort Logan National Cemetery. Please contact the family for specific information regarding date and time of the service. Please share your memories of Ila and David and condolences with their family by signing the Guestbook below.