Rachel L. Gardner

Gardner, Rachel Lavon, 96, of Wichita, died Sept. 17, 2007 at Life Care Center, Andover. Following cremation, a private inurnment ceremony will be held at Old Mission Cemetery. Friends are invited to a celebration of Rachels life at 1:30 pm Sat., Oct. 6, at Georgetown Village in Wichita. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shrine Plane of Mercy, 130 N. Topeka, Wichita, KS 67202. Rachel was born July 3, 1911 in Scammon, KS to Anna Barnes and John Spensberger. Rachel was married to Samuel M. Gardner for 51 years. They had one son, Samuel R. Gardner, who died in 1968 in Viet Nam while serving as a helicopter pilot in the U.S. Army. Rachel graduated from Arma, KS High School in 1929 and then attended Kansas State College of Pittsburg where she received her lifetime teaching certificate in 1931. She taught first and second grades in Arma from 1931 to 1940 and later taught kindergarten for 26 years at Griffenstein Elementary School in Wichita. While teaching, Rachel earned her B.S. and M.S. degrees in education from Kansas State College of Pittsburg. She was an outstanding teacher and a positive role model for her many students and their parents. Rachel retired from teaching in 1976. She became an avid collector of teddy bears of all shapes and sizes and was an active resident of Georgetown Village. She sang with the “Funtastics” choral group and was a member of the Kansas Masonic Home, Eastminster Presbyterian Church, and the Wichita USD 259 Retired Teachers Assn. Rachel is survived by her nephew, Dr. Jerry Gardner (Marsha Wertzberger) of Mill Valley, CA; niece, Pam Geer (Fred) of Overland Park, KS; great-nieces, Brett Gardner, Paige Gardner, and Jaime Geer; great-nephew, Aaron Geer; five great-great nieces and nephews and numerous cousins. She also had many close, lifelong friends. A special thanks to Georgetown Village for providing Rachel a wonderful home the past 16 years. Rachel was a gracious, caring and fun-loving woman who left her mark on young and old and will be deeply missed. Downing Lahey Mortuary East. Following cremation, a private inurnment ceremony will be held at Old Mission Cemetery.