Vera Gardner

Vera Aline Rich Gardner, 78, of Stillwater, passed off this earth into the arms of her Savior on May 22, 2025.

She was born on July 8, 1947, in Alva, to Melvin and Lucille (Blevins) Rich. Vera graduated from Aline High School in 1965 and afterward attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

In the Spring of 1968, she first met the love of her life while visiting Kingfisher. He was working at Dover Sheet Metal, which was located across the street from the Pontiac dealership where her brother-in-law, Ron Mott, was employed.

They met again at Dairyland a few days later and the whirlwind romance began. After knowing each other for only seven weeks, she and her love, William “Bill” Gardner, eloped on Oct. 3, 1968, to Medicine Lodge, Kan., where they were married.

They made their home in Dover, where they were blessed with two children, Brenda and Billy. Bill and Vera lived in Dover for over 40 years, then relocated to Stillwater to be close to their son and his family.

Vera was a member of Dover First Baptist Church, then Bible Baptist Church in Stillwater.

She was employed as a financial secretary and she retired from Farm Credit Services in Kingfisher to begin the adventure of her lifetime as a grandma.

She spent the remainder of her days loving and caring for her family. Her family truly was the joy of her life. Vera loved Jesus and her family fiercely. She will be remembered as our beloved Grammie and Booper.

We will miss her quick wit, her love of laughter and her beautiful alto singing voice.

Vera was preceded in death by her parents, her brother J.D. Rich, her beloved Sissy, Leota Mott, and brother-in-law John Rennie.

She is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Bill Gardner of Stillwater. She is also survived by her daughter Brenda Speaks and husband Sterling and their daughter Jaycee of Edmond; her son Bill Gardner and wife Lisa and their daughters Hannah and Alaina and son David of Stillwater; two sisters, Sue Thomas and husband John and Nita Rennie; two brothers, Jack Rich and wife Donna Rich and Richard Rich; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation for Vera will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, May 29, at Sanders Funeral Service.

Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Friday, May 30, at Dover Christian Church with burial following at Dover Cemetery.