On January 20th, 2015 Lena Gardiner, at the age of 68 surrounded by family and with her granddaughters holding her hands, passed away peacefully. She was born September 8th, 1946 in Wadena, SK to Metro and Anna Olkanych and was raised in Clair, SK and district. She was the youngest of seven children. She took her schooling in Clair and Quill Lake, SK. She met and married the love of her life Cliff Gardiner on September 14th, 1964. They started their married life together in Prince George, BC moving to Prince Albert, SK in 1968 to begin raising their family of two daughters, Dawna and Tracee. Lena was a stay at home mom until her daughters began school at which time she became a journeyman hairdresser. Prince Albert has remained their home. The exception being a one year family relocation in 1975 to Algeria, Africa. Lena enjoyed her flowers, bowling, and listening to music, especially country and Elvis. Lena was a friend to everyone she met, her home being the gathering place for many. Her huge circle of friends brought much joy to her life. Lena’s greatest passion were her grandchildren, Amy, Annika, and Max. Nothing gave her more joy than being their Baba. Left to cherish her memory are her loving husband Cliff; her daughters, Dawna (Brian) Olson, Tracee (Greg) Obrigavitch and their children Amy, Annika, and Max; her two sisters Ann Pidherny and Nancy Sobchyshyn; sisters-in-law Adeline Olkanych and Gertrude Olkanych; brother-in-law Gerald (Vicki) Gardiner, and sister-in-law Jennie Gardiner. She is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Lena was predeceased by her parents Metro and Anna; her brothers John and Mike; sisters Fanny Sorrell and Mary Chorney; her brothers-in-law Morris Sobchyshyn, Norm Pidherny, Frankie Sorrell, Nick Chorney, Larry Gardiner and Les Gardiner; and her father and mother-in-law Pat (Raymond) and Edith Gardiner. Lena will be lovingly remembered by all who knew her! Come and go Celebration of Life Reception will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at the Exhibition Centre, East Room, 815 Exhibition Drive, 6th Avenue & 10th Street East, Prince Albert, SK. In lieu of other tributes, memorial donations in Lena’s memory may be directed to Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, Box 430 Sub PO 6, Saskatoon, SK S7N 4V9 or SPCA, Box 1832, Prince Albert, SK S6V 6J9. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.grays.ca. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Gray’s Funeral Chapel, (306-922-4729).

• Date : 2015-01-20