Kathleen Gardner

Kathleen Barclay Gardner, 70, of Egin, Idaho, died peacefully in her sleep on April 22, 2026.

She was born on January 8, 1956, in Saint Anthony, Idaho, to Robert Andrew Barclay and Verlean M. (Davis) Walker.

She met the love of her life, Marshall J. Gardner, at her beloved Uncle Kendall’s home when she was 15. Kendall was Marshall’s auto mechanics teacher, and knowing they’d be a perfect match, he orchestrated their meeting, which sparked a lifelong love story of 51 years. She wrote to Marshall throughout his mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and 4 months after he returned, they were married for time and eternity on September 6, 1974, in the Salt Lake Temple.

At the age of 25, Kathy was diagnosed with lupus, a trial that shaped much of her life. Despite constant challenges and enduring significant pain, she faced each day with strength and determination, persevering through difficult times with quiet courage, never giving up, continuing to serve, and finding ways to uplift those around her.

Kathy raised her 5 children in Kearns, Utah, spending 13 years in a close knit neighborhood with many good friends who raised each other’s children like one big extended family. She felt blessed that during times of health challenges there were many who loved and watched over her children. She spent her golden years in Egin, Idaho, close to family and grandkids that she loved. They always knew she was happy to see them, loved teaching them, and her door was always open.

She loved her Scottish heritage and was passionate about highland dancing, bagpipes, and everything Scottish. She was a talented highland dancer, a passion she shared with her brothers, sisters, cousins, and extended Barclay family.

She and her sister Shari had a secret spot in the Idaho mountains where they picked wild huckleberries and Kathy loved to make huckleberry jam with her grandkids. She was also passionate about family history and loved the art of scrapbooking, creatively filling several books with photos and decorative embellishments.

Her motto was, “Bloom where you are planted” and she truly lived that in every way. To say she had a green thumb was an understatement. Kathy’s gift for gardening was inspiring. Every year she planted and tended to a huge garden and a yard full of blossoming flowers to create her own paradise.

She also loved the harvest, preserving and sharing her Mason jarred bounty with family who, over the years, chose to build their homes near her to be close to each other. Kathy cherished being near and caring for her mother for the last 10 years.

She was truly a caregiver at heart, loved people, and often showed up with her giant smile to help in whatever way she could. Everything she did in life was motivated by and rooted in compassion and service.

She managed the care of President Marion G. Romney during the final 5 years of his life, an experience that led her into a career in home health. After his passing, she completed her medical assisting degree, a huge milestone she was proud of, and then went on to work in a variety of medical offices. Later in life, she continued her calling to serve others as a hospice aid and provide comfort and care to individuals and families during their most difficult times.

Her husband Marshall is nothing short of a remarkable caregiver himself. His deep love for Kathy was evident to all who knew them; he loved her fiercely and spent his days ensuring she was comfortable, supported, and cared for. Their song, “Through the Years” by Kenny Rogers, could not be more fitting for the eternal love they’ll continue to share.

Throughout her life, Kathy’s faith and her belief in eternal families were a source of comfort through her trials and limitations and she often could feel the strength and comfort of family that had passed on. She was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many callings, including in Young Women, Primary, Sunday School, and as a Relief Society president.

She is preceded in death by her father Robert Barclay and three sisters Linda Lemon, Diane Nielson (Rick), and Bonnie McDaniel (Jim). She is survived by her husband Marshall Gardner, her mother Verlean M. Walker, her siblings Robert Barclay (Mary), Shari Pincock (Brett), Scott Barclay (Verna), her children John Gardner (Stephanie), Jennifer Cluff (Sean), Travis Gardner (Whitney), Shane Gardner (Jenna), Melinda Erb (Wes), seventeen grandchildren, and one great grandchild.

A viewing will be held on Wednesday April 29th from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. in the Egin Bench Chapel located at 1633 East 400 North, Saint Anthony, Idaho 83445. The funeral will follow shortly at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in the Parker Cemetery under the direction of Bert Flamm Mortuary.