Lucille B. (Gajda) Gardner

Mrs. Lucille B. Gardner, 96, of La Porte, died on Monday, May 27, 2024, at Northwest Health.

She was born on June 10, 1927, to John and Stella (Trojanowski) Gajda. Mrs. Gardner worked at the Kingsbury Ordnance Plant and for the Navy Department in Washington, D.C. Later she worked as a secretary at the Kesling-Rocke Orthodontics Center. She was a member of Holy Family Parish and a 60 year member of Pi Epsilon Kappa Catholic sorority. She was a member of the Beechwood Ladies Golf League, the Helping Hand Club and a volunteer at South Central Elementary School.

On January 21, 1951, in La Porte, she married John E. Gardner and they celebrated 60 years of marriage. Lucille and John enjoyed traveling in the United States and Europe, spending winters in Arizona and Florida, golfing, and most of all spending time with their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and their many friends.

She is survived by her five children, Peggy (Rudy) Skorupa, Cheryl Gardner, Regina Beach, Gregory (Michelle) Gardner, and Michele (Jim) Magnuson; 11 grandchildren, Megan (Adam) Nellessen, Brett (Tara) Skorupa, Stephanie (Josh) Carmichael, Matthew (Sara) Beach, Rachel Beach, Ethan Beach, Jennifer (Chris) Lyden, Emily (Dan) Hersom, Jonathan Gardner, Drew (Audra) Thompson, and Taylor (Patrick) Gorecki. She is also survived by 16 great grandchildren, Cooper, Collin, Kinsleigh, Tyson, Charlotte, Isaac, Lucas, Ruthie, Lucy, Carson, Carly, Mason, Emma, Madelyn, Bentley, Greyson, and one more on the way.

Also surviving are two sisters-in-law, Mary Jane Gayda and Carolee Gardner, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John; her parents; four sisters, Helen Lesniak, Rose Monczka, Sue Gajda, Wanda Muszynski, and a brother, Edward Gayda.

Visitation will be from 9 AM to 10:45 AM Thursday, May 30, 2024, at Frank L. Keszei Funeral Home, Essling Chapel, 1117 Indiana Avenue, La Porte, Indiana.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 AM Thursday, May 30, 2024, at Holy Family Parish, St. Joseph Church, 109 C. Street, La Porte, Indiana.

Burial will follow at Union Mills Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society-St. Joseph, 201 Bach Street, La Porte, Indiana 46350.

To light a virtual candle, share a story of Lucille’s life or leave a message of comfort for her family, please visit esslingfuneralhome.com.

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