Obituary of Venida Gardner

While surrounded by family, Venida Gardner passed away peacefully on November 30, 2014 at the age of 78. She was reunited in heaven with numerous family and friends, to include her husband, Ed Gardner, parents, Forrest and Zelan Dollar, sister, Delcene Hise, brother, Larry Dollar, daughter, Sherril Dunham, and grandson, Wesley Byfield. She is survived by many loved ones - her daughter, Venida "Kay" Docter, son, Walter "Chip" (Mandie) Dunham, grandchildren Nicole Larsen, Amanda (Heath) McDowell, Meagan (Eddie) Evans, Clay Dunham and Jacie Dunham, great-grandchildren Madison Larsen, Ellis Byfield, Chloe Byfield and Cope McDowell, sister Jerry Ritter, nieces, nephews and numerous friends. She was born in Oklahoma, and moved to Arizona at a very young age. As a teen, she married Walter Dunham and had three children. She followed Walt and his construction career all over the state of Arizona, and made many friends along the way. When the family finally settled in Tucson and she finished raising her children, she began her career as a Special Education Teacher's Aide. Following her divorce from Walt, she found and married the love of her life, Ed Gardner. Ed sadly passed away shortly after their wedding. She had many talents - from crotcheting a lap blanket for those in need, quilting a masterpiece for her grandchildren, or painting an awe-inspiring landscape or native portrait. Her greatest talents, however, were her quick wit and sense of humor. These, coupled with her kind heart and generosity, will be dearly missed by so many. Services will be held at a later date to be determined by her family.