Geneva Gardner

Geneva Bruin Gardner

Geneva Bruin Gardner passed away Tuesday, March 27, 2012, at Mission Arch Care Center. She was born in Linn Creek, Mo., on December 26, 1917 to Leina Phegley and James Alfred Bruin. The family moved to Joplin, MO., where her brother James L. Bruin was born in 1926.

The family moved to Roswell in 1930. Geneva attended the Roswell schools and graduated from Roswell High in 1935. She was the leader of the group that started the Coyote Howler which was first printed on October 2, 1934. It was published weekly with school activities and happenings and sold for one cent a copy. Her other activities included National Honor Society, Drama Club, Spanish Club, Pep Club, Athletic Editor of El Coyote 35 and editor of the Coyote Howler.

She was offered several college scholarships but opted to work and help her mother support the family. Geneva worked for the State of New Mexico and later was one of three legal secretaries when the Attwood Malone law firm started in 1937.
She married Thomas Louis Gardner Jr. on March 11, 1943, while he was serving in the Corps of Engineers at Camp Claiborne in Louisiana during WWII. He passed away on May 2, 1964.

She became the secretary for the President Superintendent of the NMMI from 1964 until she retired in 1980. She was an avid reader, bridge player, and world traveler. The American Contract Bridge League gave her the Life Master Award in August of 1986 and she also received The NMMI Bronco for 1980.

She is survived by her daughters, Kaye Gardner, Mary Sue Gardner, Sally Gardner Gianni and her husband Bob and Nancy Gardner grandson, Ryan Gardner Smith and his wife Katrina granddaughter, Jocelyn Smith and Peter Greydanus great grandson, Ronin and great granddaughter, Dresden brother, James L. Bruin nephew, Jay Bruin and niece, Barbara Bruin.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 31, 2012, at South Park
Cemetery. Retired U.S. Navy Chaplain Robert E. Maples will officiate.

A reception will be held following the service at the Bruin home, 2709 Gaye Drive.

The family request that memorial contributions be made to NMMI Foundation Inc., 101 W. College Blvd., Roswell, NM 88201, First United Methodist Church 200 N. Pennsylvania, Roswell, NM 88201.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Ballard Funeral Home and Crematory. An online registry can be accessed at www.ballardfuneralhome.com

Visitation

Ballard Funeral Home
910 S. Main
Roswell, NM  88203
Friday, March 30, 2012
12:00pm7:00pm

Service

Graveside

South Park Cemetery
3101 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203
Saturday, March 31, 2012
10:00 a.m.

Cemetery

South Park Cemetery
3101 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203

Memorial Contributions

101 W. College Blvd.
Roswell, NM  88201


200 N. Pennsylvannia
Roswell, NM  88201