TOPEKA, KANSAS - Walter Lee Gardner, 74, passed away Wednesday, September 20, 2017, at his home in Topeka, KS.

Walter was born February 21, 1943, in St. Louis, MO to Floyd Estel and Grace Violet (Avery) Gardner. He graduated from Highland Park High School in 1962. Walter served 4 years in the US Army. He founded Gardner Roofing in 1971. Walter was a dedicated father and will be greatly missed. 

He is survived by his five children, Lee (Christina) Gardner, Steven Gardner, Gary Gardner, Teresa Steffen, and Christopher Gardner; five grandchildren; and five siblings, Robert Gardner, Joyce Fields, James Gardner, Ruth Taliaferro, and Mary Kerr.

Walter was preceded in death by parents, and two siblings, Dorothy “Dodie” Boston, and Floyd “Sonny” Gardner.

A funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, September 25, 2017, at Tecumseh United Methodist Church, 334 SE Tecumseh Road, Tecumseh, KS. A private family burial followed at Mount Hope Cemetery. The family received friends an hour prior to the service. 

Memorial contributions were made to Colmery-O'Neil Veterans Medical Center, Attn: Voluntary Services, 2200 SW Gage Blvd, Topeka, KS 66622.