Dorothy Mae Gardner, 88

Dorothy Mae Gardner, 88, of Birnamwood, went to be with her Lord on Saturday, February 24, 2018 at Homme Home of Wittenberg, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services.Dorothy was born on January 22, 1930 in the Village of Mattoon, the daughter of the late Howard and Edna (Johnson) Knowles.On January 12, 1952, Dorothy was united in marriage to Donald Gardner in Waukegan, IL. He preceded her in death on March 20, 1993.Dorothy was very active in her hometown church in Mattoon. Dorothy and her husband spent many years leading the music programs at various churches. Together they enjoyed playing instruments, leading the choir and singing their favorite hymns.Dorothy is survived by four daughters, Toni (Mike) Olson of Birnamwood, Teri (special friend Pat) Fletcher of Akron, OH, Traci (Marvin) Matsche of Birnamwood and Thresa (Rob) Maddox of St. Petersburg, FL; ten grandchildren, Todd (Cindy) Olson, Brent (Jordyn) Olson, Shelly (Karl) Spaay, Kelli (Brian) Fitting, Matt (Rachael) Gardner, Garrett (special friend Kristen) Matsche, Chris Matsche, Taylor Matsche, Steve (Aleshia) Olson and Cody Olson; three great-grandchildren, Trent and Nash Gardner and Emma Olson; one brother, Harold (Carole) Knowles of Birnamwood and one sister-in-law, Jane (Arnie) Carlson of Antigo.Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sons Todd and Trent, mother and father-in-law, Rev. C.L. and Erma Gardner, two brothers, Ronald and Howard Knowles and one brother-in-law, John Eggleston.The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, March 2, 2018 at Mattoon Church of the Nazarene. Pastor Bob Hess will officiate. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, town of Hutchins. Visitation will be on Thursday  from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home in Birnamwood and again on Friday from 10:00 AM until the time of service at the church.The family would like to thank the staff at Homme Home of Wittenberg and Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services for their wonderful care given to Dorothy.