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Dear Family...

I wanted to share a few thoughts about the funeral service Saturday for cousin Eugene in Afton. It was very moving and heartwarming.
There were several family members who braved the weather to attend from Utah. The Afton 1st Ward members made the necessary arrangements, provided flowers and a luncheon and went the extra mile to conduct the service. I felt like the service was an outpouring of love to our good cous. Two of his friends (one from childhood and the other a fellow police officer) paid tribute to Eugene's good nature, sense of humor, sense of duty and willingness to help others. Eugene's oldest daughter Kacy gave his life sketch, making particular mention of her father's ability to fix anything and be there when she and Heather needed help. Bishop Challis concluded by offering a touching tribute to Eugene's commitment to keep promises, by referring to the Robert Frost poem, "Stopping By the Woods on a Snowy Evening", and quoting, "The woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep". I know his children and his wife Karen will miss him deeply, as will his dear sisters, our cousins Diane and Joanne. The cemetery, where so many of our loved ones are buried was blanketed with fresh snow. Gene was laid to rest next to Loren and Elna. A group of veteran's dressed in full uniform rendered a magnificent 21 gun salute to Gene, a veteran himself. At the end of the dedication of his grave, while mingling, George, Darla and I asked where the graves of Grandma and Grandpa were. Cousin Jane pointed easterly, toward the mountains and said, Aunts Dorothy, Marguerite, Grandpa and Grandma are right over there. Unfortunately, the snow was too deep to get
much closer. As I ponder that day, maybe it's because of the fact that Eugene and I are the same age (18 days apart), served as missionaries in California together that I feel so deeply about his loss. Or, maybe it's because I felt the presence of our loved ones at the cemetery, particularly my father's, so strongly in the Valley over Easter weekend, that I feel so grateful for the heritage we have! We have deep, deep roots. The children of Brigham and Maria Gardner were loving, tough minded, hard working, kind hearted, enthusiastic, positive, generous, faithful and wonderful examples for me to follow. I pay honor to our ancestry. Especially to the values they espoused and lived. It really must be in the water, but I get such a nostalgic feeling every time I go to the Valley! Lastly, I ask that you pray for Eugene's wife Karen, his children and grandchildren in this their time of need. Love to you all,


B.Greg