Funeral services for Betty Carol Gardner, 92, of Wasola, will be held May 25th at 11:00 am at Clinkingbeard funeral home in Gainesville, Missouri. Visitation will proceed the funeral and begin at 10:00am.

She died May 15th in Gainesville Health Care Center.

She was born February 7th, 1932, in Joplin, Missouri, the daughter of Lella Irene Canada and William Edward McConnell.

Betty married Eugene Gardner on June 5th, 1950, and later settled in Souder, Missouri with their family. Betty spent her life as a devout Christian, a devoted spouse, and loving parent and grandparent.

She enjoyed sewing, reading, baking, and gardening. She was passionate about service to her community and spent many years leading a local 4-H chapter in addition to other charitable efforts. Betty shared and instilled a great love of music amongst her family, playing several instruments and hosting many music parties alongside her husband Eugene. Betty also found joy in the outdoors and felt most at peace when spending time on the Gardner family homestead.

She is survived by 4 of her children and their spouses, Carol and Fallis Frazier; Ronald and Jennifer Gardner, Mark Gardner, Michael and Heather Gardner; and 11 grandchildren and their spouses, Bethany and Andy Penrod, Justin Frazier, Jonathan Frazier, Jarrod McCleod, Jovita McCleod, Kailon Bell, Veronica and Ryan Lamping, Austin and Auxi Gardner, Colton Gardner, Ashley and Ian Yazbec, and Catherine Franklin; and 17 great-grandchildren and their spouses Amanda and Zac Thomann, Michaela and Hayden Gaar, Andrew Penrod, Skylar and Gavin Jennings, Trenton Frazier, Ian Frazier, Canyon Frazier, Callie Eden, Lucas McCleod, Harper Lamping, Hannah Lamping, Auxi Gardner, Ethan Gardner, Kaylee Storz, Nolan Yazbec, Kaedrin Franklin and Lydia Franklin; and 8 great-great-grandchildren Rowan Thomann, Asher Thomann, Aliza Gaar, Westin Gaar, Maya Eden, Maddox Eden, Calum Eden and Amara Eden.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Gardner; daughter Karen Gardner; and grandson, Christoper Ford.

Burial will be in Souder Church of Christ Cemetery at 12:30pm.

Donations for the upkeep of the Souder Cemetery may be made at Clinkingbeard Funeral home in memory of Betty Gardner.

Arrangements are under the direction of Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville, Missouri.