Obituary

LaVonta Bell Gardner, 93, died June 17, 2006 at Halstead where she had been a resident since 1985. She was born on December 25, 1912 at Washita, Oklahoma to Ed and Mary Baker. She married Leonard G. Gardner on June 7. 1933 at Andarko, Oklahoma.

In 1942 she moved with her husband and daughter, Loretta from Anadarko to Wichita, where she was employed by Beech Aircraft, St. Joseph Hospital as a receptionist/bookkeeper for Ernest Tippen. Upon retirement she resided at Fall River Lake, Eureka, Kansas and then Halstead.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Halstead. Her parents, husband, daughter, Loretta Gardner Ashley, brothers Paul and Jack Baker, twin sister, LaVeta Wahlen and other sisters, Oma Matson and Mable Westphal preceded her in death.

Survivors: son-in-law, Keith Ashley, Wichita; 2 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren and two great-great grandsons.

Graveside Services were held June 21 at Halstead Cemetery.