Selma Gardner

Selma Gardner, 99, of Benton Harbor, went to meet her Lord & Savior Jesus Christ, Sunday, July 31, 2011 surrounded by her loving family. A Celebration of Life Eternal will be held 2:00 P.M. Thursday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens, Coloma. Friends may call beginning at 1:00 at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to St. Matthew's Lutheran Church. Those wishing to sign Selma's Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Selma was born August 29, 1911 in Stevensville, Michigan to Conrad & Rosina (Hoffman) Birkholz. On September 15, 1928 she married Floyd Gardner in South Bend, Indiana. Selma was a faithful member of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church where she was formerly active in the Ladies Aide. She cherished the time spent with her family. In her spare time, Selma enjoyed tending to her yard and her flower gardens. She and Floyd enjoyed mushroom hunting, bowling, camping, and traveling across the USA. Selma is survived by her children-Robert (Donna) Gardner of Berrien Springs, Jan (Dan) Bays of Grand Rapids; eleven grandchildren-Todd Gardner, Brett (Tina) Gardner, Leesa (Al) Gratkowski, Jeff Gardner, Michelle Gardner, Jennifer Gardner, Kent (Robin) Gardner, Keith Gardner, Kim (Bill) Ferguson, Justin (Sarah) Bays, and Kristen (Chris) Hite; several great-grandchildren, her daughter-in-law Ann Gardner of Benton Harbor, and a granddaughter-in-law Cinnamon Gardner. She was preceded in death by her husband Floyd Gardner on September 30, 1989, a grandson Bart Gardner in 2004, her son Allen Gardner in October 2008, and by nine brothers & sisters.