Irene Gardner

It is with heavy, yet joyful hearts that we announce the passing of our dear Irene Gardner. Wife, mother, sister, aunt and friend...this beautiful and loving woman touched the lives of so many people. Through her generous and faith filled nature, she was an inspiration to everyone she met. Irene carried in her heart a deep love for Christ and a special devotion to the Blessed Mother. She unconditionally loved and cared for her family, always putting their needs and wishes above her own. Irene always viewed life and suffering as part of God's plan, yet still found joy in spite of hardship. Her strength and fortitude shined throughout her entire life, but especially during the past few months as she dealt with her surprising diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. With her usual faith and grace, she turned to God not only to bring her peace but peace and acceptance to her family and friends as well. Irene was born January 30, 1937 in Topeka, the daughter of Joseph and Amelia Wasinger Schiefelbein. She attended school at St. Joseph Grade School and graduated from Hayden Catholic High School in 1955. In her younger days, she worked at Kresge's Drug Store and was a teller at First National Bank. Irene met Marvin Gardner through mutual friends where Marvin said "it was love at first sight...she took my breathe away!" They were united in marriage Feburary 2, 1957. Together they founded Gardner Floor Covering in 1959. Irene was a fun loving person and enjoyed many things in life. She enjoyed playing golf, gaming and earlier in life was an accomplished bowler. She also enjoyed traveling and was blessed with the opportunity to travel the world with her husband and family. The girl from "Little Russia" traveled to Hong Kong, Italy, Greece, Spain, Brazil just to name a few of her trips. She made a special pilgramage to Mejurgorie, Croatia (then Yugoslavia) with her sisters Anne and Helen. Irene was an excellent cook and her son's favorite dish was Sunday morning chipped beef and gravy (a recipe she picked up in Las Vegas on one of her many pilgramages there). Irene belonged to numerous organizations including the TARC Mother's Club, Daughter?s of Isabella Little Flower Circle #503, her Bunko group and her "Junkers Travel Group." She was a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church where she served in numerous capacities. She loved her St. Matthew's family very much. Irene usually attended daily mass and gained much spiritual strength from her weekly adoration hour. She especially enjoyed the friendships she developed through the Guardian Angel Guild. Irene served countless hours voluteering her time to many community organizations, particularly those involving persons with disabilities. She was an early volunteer with the REACH program where she and Marvin gave a lot of time and energy with their son Marvin Jr's Special Olympic activities. She once held a memorable carnival at her home for KNI clients and held swimming lessons for children from the Easter Seals Capper Foundation. Irene, Marvin and Marvin Jr. enjoyed 13 years of "Senior Spring Break" at their winter home in Brownsville, TX where they made many new life long friendships. Her husband Marvin survives of the home. Other survivors include a son Marvin Jr., two daughters, Renee Gardner and Tracy Gardner and her special companion Tom Browne, all of Topeka, one brother George Schiefelbein, two sisters, Anne (Jim) Sale and Helen (Walter) Pfeiffer, all of topeka, brothers in laws and sisters in laws, Janice (Terry) Fields, Shirley Gardner and Vina (Larry) Leeth. A host of beloved nieces and nephews also survive. Irene was preceded in death by a daughter Amanda "Mandy" on April 25, 1993, a son in law Larry Stephens, March 18, 2009, and siblings Edward, Joseph, Sylvester, Mary, Leona, Eugene "Butch" and Amelia. Irene will lie in state after 4:00 pm Friday January 6 at St. Matthew Catholic Church where a rosary will be recited at 5:30 followed by a parish vigil at 6:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am Saturday, January 7 at St. Matthew Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Topeka Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to TARC, St. Matthew Catholic Church or the Amanda Gardner Memorial Scholarship Fund (administered by the Topeka Community Foundation) sent in care of the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603. Online condolences and fond memories can be shared at www.brennanmathenafh.com.