Steven Reese Gardner

Steven Reese Gardner, age 69 of Grand Haven, passed away on February 8, 2021 at Harbor Hospice Poppen House. He was born on May 2, 1951 in Grand Haven, MI to the late Lawrence D. and Mary (Scholtz) Gardner.

Steve graduated from Grand Haven High School and then moved to Colorado and met Nancy Yates. Steve married Nancy on June 7, 1986 and within a few years, they started their family. He had a career in sales in the printing industry, later starting his own company as a handyman/contractor. Steve had an inquisitive approach to life, always asking the “why,” and tackling each inquiry and project head-on. He was a precise woodworker, a skill he learned working alongside his father. He was always working with his hands and could fix just about anything.

Steve, Nancy, and their two girls loved to travel, and especially enjoyed their trips to the island of Kauai. Steve was a loving father and family man who loved living in Colorado and skiing in the mountains with his friends and family, but was happy to return to living along the lakeshore in 2018. He loved taking in the beautiful sunsets, watching the ships come in, and relaxing at the beach. Steve also enjoyed reading, blasting rock and roll, spending time with his dear friends, and hanging out with his German Shepherds, the late and great Harry, and later, Cosmo.

Steve will be lovingly remembered and missed by his wife of 34 years, Nancy Gardner of Grand Haven; their two daughters, Alyson and Maddy Gardner of Denver, CO; and three sisters, Anne (Larry) Kivela, Patricia (Peter) Andrea, and Kate (Todd) Crum.

A Celebration of Steven’s Life will be held at a later date to be announced.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Grand Haven Lighthouse Conservancy c/o GHACF.

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