On October 20, 1962, he married his best friend, Felicia Hansen at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Lake City. The couple lived on the Phillip Keintz farm for a few years before moving to the Gardner family farmstead, where they made their home and raised three daughters, Kathy, Kim, and Kristie. Gary worked doing carpentry and doing farmwork with his dad until taking a position at Brewster Lumber. He worked at Brewsters for the next 40 years with half of those years serving as manager of the operation. Gary was never one to sit idle. Along with his work at the lumberyard, he also raised cattle and ranched for many years. Even after his retirement in 2005, he continued to raise cattle and put up hay.

In 2011, Gary and Faye moved to Watertown. He took a part time job at Peterson Motors, and enjoyed time visiting with neighbors, family, and friends. He didn’t know a stranger as he was a friend to all. Gary was a self-taught musician, who could play several instruments by ear, sharing that talent with many at music jamborees and nursing homes all over northeastern South Dakota.

Gary was a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He enjoyed his horses, raising cattle, hunting, fishing, and dancing. He was a Mr. Fix-it, who could weld anything and had the ability to create beautiful wooden birdhouses, clocks, and furniture. Gary loved little kids and loved to tease. It brought him much happiness to make people smile, young and old!

In January 2024, due to failing health, Gary moved to assisted living in Watertown and in March he moved to SK Living Center in Roslyn. Gary passed away Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at the age of 83 years, 9 months, and 28 days.

He will be forever loved by his wife Felicia “Faye” Gardner of Watertown, SD, daughters, Kathy (Tim) Zilverberg of Highmore, SD, Kim Gardner of Tempe, AZ, and Kristie (Marc) Spies of Watertown,SD,grandchildren, Matthew (Jamie) Zilverberg, McKenzee (Hadley) Hamlin, Jenessa Kniffen, Jade (Leo) King, Taylor Spies, and Carter Spies, great-grandchildren, Draeton, Jorja, Daxton, Lennyx, and one on the way! He is also survived by his brother Roger (Eugenia) Gardner of Aberdeen, SD, and JoAnn (Donn) Kirchgatter of Eagen, MN, sisters-inlaw, Patti (Jim) Nordquist of Starbuck, MN, Carol Hansen of Brooklyn Center, MN, and Brenda (Mike) Jones of Fargo, ND, and special friends “Ma & Pa” Alex and Arlene Jordan of Watertown, SD. He was preceded in death by his parents, infant son Kevin Gardner, brother Donald Gardner, and in-laws Myron and Barbara Hansen, and brother-in-law Robert Hansen.