On the afternoon of September 12, 2017, Lola St. John Gardner went to be with our Lord Jesus. Lola passed away peacefully in the Autumn Care Nursing Facility in Wilmington, North Carolina. She was 99 years old.
Lola was born in Butte, Montana on February 5, 1918, to DeWitt Talmadge St. John and Alma Elverum St. John. Lola had two sisters and three brothers. Irene Mortag, Lorraine Paulson, Raymond, Myron and Leland St. John
Lola grew up in Opheim, Montana and graduated from Opheim High School. She put herself through College in Missoula, Montana. She then married Ear Basil Gardner and moved to the east coast. They brought four children into this world; Kenneth Earl, Charles DeWitt, Pamela Jean and Richard St. John Gardner. Lola was blessed with four grandchildren, David Gardner, Nathan Gardner, Tiffany Daniels and Nikki Daniels. She had two great-grandchildren Lola and Liam Daniels.
Lola received her Master’s Degree from USC with work towards her Doctorate. In 1959 she accepted a teaching position at Palm Springs High School where she was Department Chair for the Business Department and eventually took over the Work Experience Program. Lola was very active with the National Business Education Association along with serval community organizations. Lola was a founding member of Hope Lutheran Church in Palm Desert, California for over 40 Years. She watched and helped it grow from it’s infancy to a large community organization.
Lola eventually went to live with her son Kenneth in Wilmington, North Carolina. After several years, as a result of challenges with her memory and health, she required professional assistance. She moves to the Autumn Care Facility in Wilmington where she was assisted by considerate and loving specialists.
Lola was preceded In death by her son Kenneth, his wife Diane, and their son David; her siblings Raymond, Irene, Leland and Loraine. Her Brother Myron has since joined them. Lola is survived by her children Charles, Pamela, and Richard.
Lola was a very strong believer in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She is now at peace and is rejoicing, with her loved ones, in his presence.
2 Corinthians 5: 6-8
Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. We are of good courage. I say and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with Lord.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son what whosever believes in him shall not perish have eternal life.
Psalm 23:6
Surely goodness and mercy shall fallow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
We all rejoice in the knowledge that our Lord Jesus loves us so much that he gave his life for us so that we may have eternal life, and live with the peace that passes all understanding. We look forward to spending eternity with our Savior and loved ones. Lola St. John Gardner was a wonderful person and a true Christian Soldier. To God be the praise, Glory, and Honor