Janie Gardner died on Sunday, March 18, at home after a lengthy illness.

Janie was born in Sheridan on February 6, 1930 to Genevieve and Joseph B. Franklin and she grew up at 337 E. Burkitt Street., in the house that later became the Holy Name preschool. She attended Holy Name School and graduated Sheridan High School in 1947.

She received a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from St. Mary College, Leavenworth, KS and did her nurses training at Creighton University, Carroll College and St. Vincent's Hospital in Billings.

She married Bill Gardner on April 19, 1954 and Bill and Janie raised five children in Sheridan.

Janie was a registered nurse, working at Sheridan Memorial Hospital and, for many years, at the Sheridan VA hospital from which she retired in 1990. She was highly regarded for her nursing skills, years of hard work and compassion as she served the VA patients, their families and the VA staff for many years.

She is preceded in death by husband, Bill, infant son John Michael, brother Joseph J. Franklin, and sisters, Rita Franklin and Betty Hoyt.

She is survived by her sister, Mary Hagan of Salt Lake City, UT, children, Cathy Beels (Paul), Don Gardner (Deborah), Peggy King (Dan), Julie Gardner and Ted Gardner and by her nine grandchildren, John, Christine and Grace King, Taylor and Brynne Gardner, Will and Thomas Saffel, and Amelia and Nathan Gardner and by her many nieces and nephews.

Janie was a lifelong member of Holy Name Parish and volunteered for the American Cancer Society, the daffodil sale and distribution being her main project.

Janie's children wish to thank the staffs of Sheridan Memorial Hospital and the Welch Cancer Center for their love, compassion and high professional standards in caring for Janie for the last several months.

The viewing will be Friday evening, March 23, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Kane's followed by the rosary at 7:00. The funeral Mass will be Saturday morning, March 24, at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Name Church with Father Ron Stolcis officiating. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Shriner's Children's Hospitals, at Box K, Sheridan, WY 82801, Sheridan Fulmer Library at 335 W. Alger, Sheridan, WY 82801, or the Earl and Bessie Whedon Cancer Foundation at PO Box 683, Sheridan, WY 82801.

Online condolences may be written at www.kanefuneral.com.

Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

The Sheridan Press - March 21, 2012.