Marilyn Gardner, age 80 of Bowler, passed away on August 13, 2021, peacefully at home surrounded by her family. She was born on May 23, 1941, the daughter of the late Arthur and Mary (Moses) Christ in Keshena. Marilyn graduated from Gresham High School. She was united in marriage to Herman Gardner on Dec. 21, 1962, in Milwaukee. They settled in the Appleton area until 1971 when they moved to Bowler. As a homemaker, Marilyn enjoyed cooking and raising chickens and ducks. She was a member of the Gresham American Legion Auxiliary and St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church.

Marilyn is survived by: her husband Herman; two children, Kurt and Joseph, both of Bowler; grandchildren, Heather, Tara, Shania (Brandon), Kaitlyn (Austin); great grandchildren, Talia and Trace Gardner, and Jax Reiter. Marilyn is further survived by her sister Dorothy Steinbarth of Henderson, NV, and her brother, Lenwood Christ of Keshena, WI.

She is preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Aloysius and Donald Christ.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, August 17, 2021, at 11:00 am at Swedberg Funeral Home in Gresham, with Fr. Hanz Christian officiating. Inurnment will be at Red Springs Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be held from 9:30 am until time of services at the funeral home.

The family of Marilyn would like to extend a special thank you to Heartland Hospice and Aspirus Hospital in Wausau.