Grandma's Obituary

My Grandma passed away this weekend on April 30. She was an amazing woman and I will always be grateful that she was my Grandma. I'm excited to see her in her prime in the next world. I mostly remember the Grandma from the first picture, still beautiful and capable, but not as much as she was. By then (or at least by the time I really got to know her) the pain had started in her hands and back and she had lost a few inches in height. She had slowed down physically, but was still wonderful! I'd love to have known her when she was the amazing woman that was raising 8 kids and could do almost anything. I'm sure I missed out on much wisdom and knowledge by not knowing her then.

Here's a copy of the obituary that was sent to the newspapers.



Olga Helen Dotson Gardner, our beloved wife, mother, sister, and friend, surrounded by her loving family, passed away on April 30, 2011 after succumbing to complications due to advanced age.

Olga was born March 13, 1924, to A. Lewis Dotson and Lola Irene McAdams in Burbank, California. She was the sixth of eight children, and her ancestors all helped to settle Minersville, Utah.

She attended high school in Logan and Salt Lake City and studied music at Utah State University where she sang the lead in the Verdi opera Rigoletto at the age of 17. She married her high school sweetheart, John Hale Gardner, July 23, 1943, in Boston, Massachusetts. Olga continued her singing pursuits and studied at the New England Conservatory of Music.

In 1949 they moved to Provo where Olga fast became known in Utah and Salt Lake valleys for her singing. She was the example of selfless service, soloing at uncounted funerals, weddings, recitals, and meetings. She sang the lead in many operas, oratorios and other productions, including "Cats" at age 60. She sang with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for over a decade and was a frequent soloist. She was highly sought after as a voice teacher at BYU and taught at home until she was 82 years old.

Olga was a great example of missionary work and daily study of the scriptures, and especially of how to endure cheerfully to the end. Her husband of 65 years passed away September 26, 2008, and she was anxious to be with him again.

She is survived by her 8 children: Helen Elizabeth (Tracy Hall), John Willard (Kathryn), Kristin (Ron Spears), Rebecca, Robert Dotson (Debra), Eric William (Connie), Ann Marie, Margaret Irene (John Naegle); 1 brother Richard (Nancy) Dotson; 37 grandchildren; 45 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2011 at 12:00 p.m. at the Oak Hills 1st Ward, 1038 North 1200 East, Provo. Friends may call at Berg Mortuary, 185 E. Center St, on Friday evening 7-8pm or on Saturday 10 -11:30am at the church. Interment Provo City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to Info@BergMortuary.com.