Gayle Christensen Gardner, 86, of Orem, Utah  peacefully passed away with loving family by her side on Tuesday October 1, 2019. Gayle was born June 10, 1933 in Bancroft Idaho to Harris and Robina Christensen. Gayle graduated from Bancroft High School as the Salutatorian and received her Bachelor in Elementary Education and a Minor in Music from Brigham Young University in 1955. She was a member of Phi Kappa Phi. Gayle married "her everything" Mervyn Bennion Gardner on August 14, 1959 in the Idaho Falls Temple. Gayle and Merryn moved to St Louis Missouri for Mervyn's senior year of Dental School. After his graduation, they spent 2 years of service in the Air Force based in Guam. After the service, Yucipa California became home where they were blessed with 3 children, Annette, Alan, and Nancy. In 1969, Gayle and her family moved to Orem, Utah which became their permanent residence. Gayle taught elementary school at Edgemont Elementary in Provo, an elementary school in Covina California and in St Louis Missouri. Grandma Gayle loved teaching her grandchildren to read. Every grandchild had the special opportunity to have Grandma Gayle read to them daily followed by walks around the block. Gayle is loved by all and is often referred to as Sweet Gayle and Sweet Aunt Gayle. She was an accomplished musician. She was the accompanist for the Girls Glee Club and performed many piano recitals in her youth and young adulthood. She took up organ lesson later in her adult years. She served in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as the ward organist, pianist and accompanist for the ward choir for many decades. She loved sharing her musical talent by performing organ recitals for family and friends. Her most favorite piano piece is Clair de lune by Claude Debussy. Additional interests included: Reading, sewing, baking, homemade chocolates and granola, gardening and canning, listening to classical music, spending time with grandchildren and great grandchildren and Sunday dinners with family. Gayle was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in the Relief Society and Primary Presidencies. She served as the ward organist, pianist and ward choir accompanist for many years. She regularly attended the temple and served in the Provo Temple and Mount Timpanogos Temple as an ordinance worker and organist for several years. Gayle is survived by her children, Annette Gardner Fox (Shawn), Alan Gardner (Karen), Nancy Gardner Belot (William); her grandchildren Paul Fox (Jayme), Keith Fox, Kyle Fox (Maribah), Heather Fox, Tyler Gardner, Kaylee Gardner, Jake Lloyd, McKelle Lloyd, Ethan Belot, Liam Belot, and 6 great grandchildren. Gayle was preceded in death by her husband Mervyn Bennion Gardner, father Harris Christensen, mother Robina Bodily Christensen, Mother-in-law, father-in-law, 7 brothers and 1 sister. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to all the doctors, nurses, and aides who administered such loving care and compassion to our mother, grandma, and our family from; Reid's Park Place of Springville, Stonehenge Skilled Nursing and Rehab of Springville, Legacy House of Spanish Fork, and First Choice Home Health and Hospice. Funeral Services will be held Saturday October 12, 2019 at 12:00 pm at Orem 6th Ward Chapel located at 365 S. 900 E., Orem Utah. Prior to services, a viewing will be held at 10:00-11:45 am at the Chapel. "Sweet Gayle", We will always carry your memory in our hearts. Condolences may be sent to the family at: [email protected]