Virginia Leigh Ellis Gardner, age 79, died April 27th, 2016 in the Star Valley Care Center. Virginia was born October, 4, 1936 in Tucson, Arizona to her parents R.J. "Brock" Ellis & Dorothy Sarrels Ellis. During her early years, she lived in Florence, Arizona, San Diego, California, Eloy, Arizona, and then graduated from Santa Cruz Valley High School in 1955. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Home Economics from the University of Arizona in 1959. She had various jobs until she found her love in nursing and graduated from Ricks College, School of Nursing in 1986. She worked at the Evanston Regional Hospital, Lincoln County Public Health, Star Valley Medical Center, and Bear Lake Memorial Hospital. At Bear Lake Memorial Hospital she was Director of the Bear Lake Memorial Care Center. Her greatest joys were supporting her children and grandchildren in all their activities, which included a great deal of world travel. She established lasting friendships through her nursing career.

Virginia is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She held numerous positions in young women, Sunday school youth, Relief Society, scouting, music director, and primary. In the community she was part of 4-H leadership, Wyoming State Fair board, Multiple County Fair judges, Hospital auxiliary volunteer, and Red Cross chairman.

Virginia is survived by her children: Gerrie (Hank) Gardner from Snohomish, WA, Rollin (Tami) Gardner from Afton, WY, Evon (Bill) Gardner from W. DesMoines, IA, Russell (Leslie) Gardner from Afton, WY, Diane Gardner from Evanston, WY, Marcella (Dale) Wright from Laramie, WY, Reynold (Jennifer) Gardner from Silverton, OR, and Rulon (Kamie) Gardner from Cheyenne, WY. Sister: Ginger Ellis Kingman from Dolores, CO. 17 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, April 30th at 12:00 Noon in the Salt River Ward Chapel. A viewing will be held Friday, April 29th from 6-8:00 PM at Schwab Mortuary in Afton. There will also be a viewing prior to the services from 10:30 to 11:45 AM in the Church. Please send family condolences on Virginia's memorial page found at www.schwabmortuary.com.