Rebecca Marie Gardner

Our sweet grandma, loving mom, and beloved wife, Rebecca Marie Gardner passed away unexpectedly May 28, 2019 with her eternal companion by her side.  She was born on June 17, 1952 in Long Beach, California to Arthur and Marie Whyte.  She was the oldest of four children, having two sisters, Sandy Nelson, Valorie Whyte and brotherMichael Whyte.  She was sealed to her sweetheart, Clint, on February 11, 1972 in the Los Angeles California Temple.

Rebecca loved her family in many ways and she showed us everyday.  She was an amazingly talented seamstress and enjoyed making clothes, hats, dolls and quilts for her children as well as other people whom she loved.  You could often find her digging in the flower garden, manicuring the flowers, the bushes, the trees and even the lawn.  She loved to beautify everything she touched from lawn ornaments in the garden and flags on the porch; to sparkly paper and glitter bows on gifts.  

One of the most amazing and unique things about Rebecca, was her sincere interest and caring for others.  She was always thoughtful to leave a kind note under a grandchild’s pillow, mail an uplifting thought to a friend who was sad, send a beautiful flower to a struggling soul, or wink and smile at a stranger at the store.

Rebecca loved music and had a lovely singing voice that helped her children develop a love for music and singing.  Attending concerts and recitals to watch her grandchildren developing their own talents were some of her favorite things to do.   She also loved to cheer for the kids at their games and sporting events, and made sure that they knewshe was watching and cheering for them.

Rebecca was excited for a temple to be built in Pocatello and wanted to be able to work inside of it someday.  She was learning a lot and loved what she learned while currently serving in the Idaho Falls Temple as an Ordinance Worker.  She had such a love of the gospel and taught us with kind patience and by loving example.  Rebecca was strong and obedient, always wanting to do the right thing, but also, and more importantly, the righteous thing.

Our exceptional mother is survived by her adoring husband of 47 years, Clinton.  [Anchor] Her son Rick and his wife Amy, their six children: Katelyn, Daniel, McKayla, Emily, Jeremy and Alexis.  Her daughter Rachel Boyer and her husband Travis, their four children: Joshua, Lacey, Aaron and Lucas.  Her daughter Krista Cooley and her husband Justin,their son Connor.  Her daughter Celeste Woodward and her husband Ryan, their four children: Gwyneth, Maxwell, Ashley and William.  Her son Ryan and his wife Courtney, their two children: Ethan and baby girl.  She is preceded in death by her father, Arthur Whyte.

Funeral services will be held Monday, June 3rd at 11am in the Alameda LDS 5th Ward, 1440 Lakeview Dr., Pocatello. Family will receive friends from 6-8pm Sunday evening in the Cornelison Funeral Home, 431 N. 15th Ave., Pocatello, and from 10-10:45 am prior to services in the church Monday. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.cornelisonfh.com
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