Marianne Gardner

Marianne Ernst Gardner 72 of Joliet passed peacefully from complications of lung cancer on April 7 2011. She died at the home of her son in Covington WA. Marianne was born October 10 1938 in Washington D.C. to George and Susan Phillips. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband Evan. She is survived by her son David (Yolanda) Gardner of Covington WA three granddaughters Carly and Megan of San Diego CA Ashley of Oswego IL and great grandchild Logan (Ashley).She moved to Joliet October 31 1953 and attended Joliet Township High School and Cartridge College. She married Evan Gardner on July 23 1958 and celebrated 52 years of marri Age until his death in 2007.Marianne was a founding and standing member of Faith Lutheran Church in Joliet IL.Marianne was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer on September 3 2010 and was treated by the Joliet Oncology-Hematology Associates Provena St. Joseph Medical Center Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Valley Medical Center Issaquah Rehabilitation and Franciscan Hospice heartfelt thanks go to the staff of these wonderful facilities.Marianne loved to travel across the U.S. and Europe with Evan until his death in 2007. In 2010 she visited Italy with her son daughter-in-law and grand-daughter Megan.Marianne was taught to crochet by her grandmother a woman talented in her own right serving as a seamstress to the White House for President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Marianne pursued entrepreneurship for many years-selling beads and knitted beer can hats to the younger crowd at campgrounds during the 70s making doll outfits making clothes for her family and successfully sold Amway for many years. In 1980 she opened a small craft store in Joliet and sold local art crafts and yarn eventually moving the business to her home where it remained for the next 30 years. The new store specialized in the arts of Knit Crochet and needlepoint and has been on the internet since 1998. She was a member of the Knitting Guild Association (TKGA), Crochet Guild of America (CGOA). Marianne was loved by her peers and students and felt teaching was the most rewarding part of her business. She especially liked teaching younger students insuring the craft would be passed on.Funeral Service for Marianne will be held Saturday April 16 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the Blackburn-Giegerich-Sonntag Funeral Home with Rev. Jane Perkolup officiating. Interment Woodlawn Memorial Park. Visitation Friday 5-8 p.m.