Phyllis Gardner, 94 of Des Moines, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, October 26, 2021, at Fleur Heights Center in Des Moines, Iowa.
Phyllis Claire Duffy was born on August 12, 1927, at home in Odebolt, Iowa. She was the daughter of Walter and Amelia (Landgraf) Duffy. Phyllis attended and graduated from Odebolt schools.
On April 1, 1948, Phyllis was united in marriage to Donald J. Gardner in Odebolt, Iowa, where they had lived until 1951. Phyllis and Don lived in Des Moines until 1985 when they retired and moved back to Odebolt to help take care of their parents. Phyllis lived there until 2018 when she moved back to Des Moines.
She had worked at Odebolt Library as a librarian, a bookkeeper at Overhead Doors, and Grants Department Store. Phyllis was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, numerous Bridge clubs, Tuesday Club, St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Odebolt, and Basilica of St. John’s Catholic Church in Des Moines. She enjoyed reading, Yahtzee, Bridge, and baking. Most of all she enjoyed being with her family, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
She was always the life of the party. Her and her husband Donald loved to dance. She'll be remembered fondly by her family as telling all the best jokes. She was a fun and very loving person and will always be known as the best Mom, Grandma, Big Grandma to her great-grandkids and Aunt to all her nieces and nephews.
Left to cherish her memory are her children, Michael Gardner, Timothy Gardner and Cynthia Gardner, grandchildren, TJ (Cori), Shawn (Andrea), CarrieAnne (Nick), Hillary, great-grandchildren, Natalie (Taylor), Rowan, Alyssa, Alister, Cole, Elyse, Carter, Marough, Gavin, and Everly, brother, Richard Duffy, brother-in-law, Bob (MaryAnn) Gardner, nieces and nephews that were much loved by their aunt.
In death Phyllis rejoins her parents, Walter and Amelia Duffy, husband, Donald J. Gardner, grandson, Jeff and siblings, Pat, Joan, Betty, and Walter.
A Memorial Gathering will be held on Saturday, November 6, 2021, at Brooks Funeral Home SW 9th, 2135 S W 9th, Des Moines, Iowa from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.
