Rochelle Gardner, 1967-2015

Published 9:29 am Friday, January 23, 2015

Memorial services for Rochelle Lee Gardner, 47, of Livingston, Texas, will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Our Father’s House in Albert Lea. Donald Larson will officiate. Shelly went home to be with the Lord Thursday, Jan. 21, 2015, at Mayo Medical Center of Rochester as a result of cancer. 

Rochelle Gardner

Shelly Gardner was born June 15, 1967, in Denver, the daughter of Margaret and Larry Gardner. She grew up and went to school in Alden, graduating in 1985. She earned a teaching degree from Northwestern Bible College and following graduation she moved to Texas and spent 26 years as a teacher — a job she loved. She was involved with youth groups, vacation Bible school programs and Girl Scouts. Her faith was steadfast in the Lord Jesus Christ. Her heart held a compassion for teaching and caring for others. Shelly volunteered to help raise her best friend’s children when she died in an automobile crash and was very involved in their lives. She gave all she had to her family, her church and her community with a smile that will forever be remembered in the lives of many. Shelly did it all for the Lord and truly had a servant’s heart.

Survivors include mother, Margaret Kuethe, of Alden; sisters Jacqueline Farnes of Albert Lea, Lydia (Jake) Thompson of Forest City, Iowa, and Robyn VanDerLeest of Englewood, Colorado; and brothers Doug (Laura) Kuethe of Alden, Mitchell Kuethe of Conger  and Peter (Alba) Flores of Albert Lea. Shelly is also survived by Kellie Lyons and Lee (Lauren) Lyons, of Texas, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Donations are suggested to South Central Minnesota Youth for Christ.