REPUBLIC - Leonard "Len" J. Gardner age 82, of 7768 Oak St. in Republic, passed away on Thursday, July 23, 2009, at the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette where he had resided since August of 2008.

Len was born in Goodman, Wis., on Aug. 20, 1926, the son of the late George and Louise (Londre) Gardner. He was a 1944 graduate of Goodman High School and went on to serve his country faithfully in the United States Army during World War II, being honorable discharged in 1946 after serving in Japan and the Asiatic Pacific. He returned to Goodman, Wis., following the War and worked at a local sawmill. He then moved to Green Bay in 1948 where he was employed by Standard Oil. He was transferred to Crystal Falls in 1950 where he remained until 1959 when he moved to Republic. While in Republic he ran Standard Oil, which later became Amoco. He then became an independent oil supplier, known as Gardner Oil Co., from 1976 to 1988 when he retired.

Family was the most important aspect of Len's life, always there for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a member of the St. Augustine Catholic Church, the Republic Lions Club, the American Legion in Goodman, Wis., and the Republic V.F.W. He was an avid Green Bay Packers fan. Len loved to tinker with any project that came his way, and was known has a real "handy-man."

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Gerry Gardner of Republic; children, Ralph (Debbie) Gardner, Rodney Gardner, Lynn (Gene) Koski and Randy Gardner, all of Republic; brother-in-law Jack Long of Black River Falls, Wis.; nine grandchildren, Angela (Jim) Hytinen, Jeri (Kevin) Ballent, Jen (Phil) Gravedoni, Brian Gardner, Jim Koski, Steven Koski, Danny Koski, Kyle Gardner and Darren Bartle; two great-grandchildren, Anna and Emily Hytinen; along with several nieces and nephews.

Len was preceded in death by his parents, daughter-in-law Linda Gardner; a sister and brother-in-law Iva and Richard Rocque; brother and sister-in-law Vernon and Verna Gardner; and sister-in-law Frances Long.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Republic on Sunday, July 26, 2009, at 3 p.m. with the Rev. Jim Challancin officiating assisted by the Rev. Otto Sartorelli. The family will greet relatives and friends from 1 until 3 p.m. on Sunday at the church in Republic. Interment will take place at the Republic Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Len's grandchildren.

Len's obituary may be viewed at www.bjorkandzhulkie.com, where friends and relatives may leave a note of remembrance.