Jolene Gardner, Ho’etseoo’e, “Lightning Woman” was born on July 27, 1948 in Crow Agency to Adrian Whiteman and Angela Kingfisher. She was raised in Lame Deer, Montana and graduated from St. Labre Indian School. It was at that time she met, fell in love, and married Thomas Gardner Sr. he whisked her away and they began to build a life together. From this union came two sons, Tom Jr. (Yolanda), Adrian Terry, and one daughter, Angeline.
Later Jolene obtained a degree in business while raising her children and helping Tom Sr. with their traveling ministry. She loved being a pastor’s wife, singing hymns and playing guitar. Jolene loved music very much. She would recall the days of her childhood and how she made herself a guitar with a small box and string and sing to herself. Her family has fond memories of her singing throughout the house, playing her music very loud, dancing and often commenting about how beautiful the music in heaven must be. Her great faith assured her that someday she would be reunited with her love, Tom and she would say “I’m going to ask Jesus if I can work in the gardens in heaven.”
She loved a garden, she loved to cook. She was known for her great cooking skills, not to mention her paco sales during the annual fourth of July fireworks show.
Jolene was beautiful, inside, and out. She was often described as kind, unselfish, a wonderful mother and grandmother, always making sure everyone around her was taken care of.
She also was a jokester with a good sense of humor and at times could get a little feisty with her no-nonsense attitude, but the legacy she will leave are of her giving nature her kindness, her faith and her tremendous love for her children and grandchildren.
Jelen’es special friends were Anna mae Ryan, Sheila Firecrow, Rosella Killsnight, Georgia Ann, and Hansa Faye Burns, Suzanna Trusler, Holda Moss, Gail Lander, Cordelia Kingfisher, Vernon Sooktis, Daniel and Lorna Knowshisgun.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Adrian and Angela; brother, Clayton; and her love, Tom Sr.
She is survived by her three children, Thomas (Yolanda), Adriand, and Angelin; grandchildren: Latrell, Cheyenne Angel, Thomas, Angelo, Annalisa, Breylene, Shawna Jo, Josette; great grand children, Willow, Devon, Rylan, Kira, Scarlett; adopted son, Dean Spotted Eagle Jr.; relatives include: The Whitemans, Kingifhers, Rowlands, Harris’s, and many others. She had a large family, we apologize if we missed anyone.
Service Schedule
Traditional Wake
7:00 PM
Thursday July 28, 2022
Jolene Gardner's Home
Lame Deer, Montana 59043
Funeral Service
10:00 AM
Friday July 29, 2022
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church
Lame Deer, Montana
Interment
Following the Funeral Service
Friday July 29, 2022
Gardner Family Cemetery
Lame Deer, Montana 59043
Service Schedule
Traditional Wake
7:00 PM
Thursday July 28, 2022
Jolene Gardner's Home
Lame Deer, Montana 59043
Funeral Service
10:00 AM
Friday July 29, 2022
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church
Lame Deer, Montana
Interment
Following the Funeral Service
Friday July 29, 2022
Gardner Family Cemetery
Lame Deer, Montana 59043
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ROBERT LITTLE WOLF says
THE NORTHERN CHEYENNE CHIEF COUNCIL EXTEND THEIR CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF JOLENE GARDNER AND PRAYERS FOR STRENGTH DURING THIS MOST SAD, SORROWFUL AND MOURNFUL TIME FOR THE LOSS OF A BELOVED LOVE ONE.