Lorene Gardner

Lorene Baley Ames Gardner, 84, of Laramie, died Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011 at Ivinson Memorial Hospital.

Lorene was born I Afton on May 16, 1927 to Oliver and Ethel Ames. She was the fourth of five children.

Lorene grew up in Star Valley, attending Afton Elementary and Star Valley High School. She was a surrounded by friends and family and remembers an idyllic childhood playing in Jackson Hole and Yellowstone and enjoying the wonderful old country food prepared by her mom and grandma.

For two years following high school graduation Lorene attended the University of Utah. She left there to marry her high school sweetheart, Rex Gardner on Sept. 22, 1947.

A short time later she went to work for Mountain States Telephone Company as a telephone operator. In 1949 they welcomed their first child, Julie Katherine followed by a second daughter, Debra Ames in 1952.

In 1954 the little family moved from Afton to Laramie with a plan for Rex to attend the University of Wyoming. Lorene transferred with the phone company and became chief operator clerk.

Another daughter, Laurie Daryn joined the family in 1966, and a son, Ryan Rex in 1968.

Lorene returned to school and graduated in 1970 with a degree in language arts education. She completed a 17 year career teaching Spanish at Laramie Junior High. She loved her profession and her students. She would often enhance their cultural experience with special art projects, trips to Mexican restaurants, and even chaperoned trips to Mexico, Spain and France.

Lorene lived a life of selfless service to her family, friends, and church. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren knew they were loved and always felt special.

She was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter –day Saints, She was active in ADK and Delta Kappa Gamma. Travel, reading and the arts were just a few of her special interest.

She had a passion and cared for many animals during her life. Her home was never without a cat. She was an avid Colorado Rockies fane. Loren was a woman with a kind and generous heart who will be greatly missed.

Lorene is preceded in death by her parents, brothers Harry Ames and Ken Ames, sisters Faye Olson and Better Ames, her husband, and daughter Julie Katherine.

She is survived by daughter Debra (Giles) Deane of Peoria, Ariz.; daughter Laurie (Todd) Mendick of Laramie; and son Ryan (Sarah Gardner of Peoria, Ariz.; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2011 at the LDS Stake Center in Laramie with Bishop David Pratt conducting. A viewing will take place at 9 a.m. on Saturday, OCT. 1, 2011 at Schwab Mortuary in Afton; followed by a short service at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Afton Cemetery.