Obituary for Elva Gardner

Elva Lea Simanek Gardner, 83, of Ponca City, passed away on Saturday, August 16, 2014 at Ponca City Medical Center. Elva Lea was born on October 5, 1930 at her Grandma Downing’s house in Medford, OK to Stanley Frank and Ruth N. (Downing) Simanek.

Elva Lea attended 1st grade in a country school on the Red River, 2nd grade was at the Bennington Town School and the 3rd grade at Old Church School, all in Bryan County, Oklahoma. 4th grade was at Woodbine School west of Ponca City, 5th – 8th grades were at Ponca City Grade School, 9th was at Ponca City Junior High, 10th – 12th grades were at Ponca City High School graduating in May of 1948. After graduating, she started to work for Conoco in September of 1948. She retired on April 30, 1992. While at Conoco, she had worked in the computer department as a Data Clerk Operator and a Librarian.

Elva Lea was married to Vernon E. Gardner on April 12, 1952 in Enid, OK, and two children were born, Steven Dale and Tammi Sue.

Elva Lea was a past member of the Sooner Motorcycle Riders and CMA Motorcycle Assoc.; she was presently a member of Gamma Kappa Sorority and the First Christian Church of Ponca City.

Elva Lea is survived by her husband Vernon, Son Steven Dale and his wife Karen Gardner of Mannford, OK, daughter-Tammi Sue Gardner of Sand Springs, OK. 2 grandchildren; Michelle Dawn Johnson and Stefanie Rose Throneberry. 4 Great grandchildren; Hailey Arysta Malone, Cambry Alyse Malone, Vaughn Steven Johnson and Vincent VonRoc Johnson. 2 sisters; Rosa Ann “Rosie” Coffee and her husband Robert “Bob” of Newkirk and Tomasine “Tommie” Charlene Dummer and husband Howard of Ponca City.

Funeral Services will be 2 p.m., Wednesday, August 20, 2014 at Grace Memorial Chapel with Pastor Chris Short officiating. Burial will follow in Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery. Casket Bearers will be Tony Stolhand, D.J. Stolhand, Dallas Stolhand, David Stolhand, Rocky Johnson and Mark Dummer.