Yvonne Gardner Clark died on February 18, 2015 at her home in Afton at the age of 87.

Yvonne was born September 28, 1927 to Franklin Richards and Mary Luthi Gardner at their Afton home. She spent her childhood among a loving family of three older half-sisters: Alta, Bernice and Lillian, and two younger brothers: Rex and Delano. She spent many happy days with her Luthi and Gardner cousins who came to visit and play at the flour and saw mill sites which her father and uncles ran. Yvonne spent a lot of time with special friends Lorene Ames, Shirley Allred and Lynnette Bennion. Yvonne loved to have fun.

Yvonne was an excellent student and graduated as valedictorian from Star Valley High School in 1945. She loved sports and participated in as many as girls were allowed to play. She enjoyed softball, skiing, snowmobiling, water skiing, swimming and volleyball. She ran several miles per week for many years and also walked up Swift Canyon well into her eighties. Yvonne graduated with honors from the University of Wyoming in 1949 with a degree in Education. Yvonne loved to teach and taught English and Home Ec in Star Valley schools for nearly forty years and is remembered fondly by many of her students. Her teaching extended to the Church also as she taught the Gospel Doctrine class for more than twenty years.

Yvonne married Dean Clark September 2, 1947 in the Salt Lake temple. They lived in various places the first few years of their marriage including Grover, Afton, Emmett Idaho, Logan, and Laramie. They moved back to Afton in 1963 after being away from the valley for five years. Yvonne and Dean have seven children: Diane, Jan Dean, Randal, Jeffrey, Steven, Blair and Jeremy. They enjoyed many family activities and learned and loved the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Yvonne was a very social person. She was an active member of the Afton MRS Club and the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. She loved to host events and parties and Dean was always her best helper. Yvonne and Dean planned many ward reunions, roadshows, and hosted study class. Yvonne enjoyed being part of the Single Adult group, pinochle club and her book club.

Yvonne and Dean served in the Detroit Michigan Mission for the LDS church from January 1995 – May 1996. After their mission they were able to travel to such places as China, India, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, South Africa, Israel and Egypt. Dean died in 2002. After that Yvonne loved serving in the Idaho Falls temple as an ordinance worker. She was also able to continue her travels to the British Isles, Peru, Denmark, Norway, the Mediterranean, and many places in the United States and Canada.

Yvonne is preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Mary Gardner; her husband, Dean; sons Blair and Jeremy; and a grandson Jan Dean Clark, jr. She is survived by her children Diane (Firoz Husein), JD (Debra), Randal (Gwen), Jeff (Shantay), and Steve (Melinda), 22 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 21 at 11:00 at the Afton Tabernacle.