July 4, 1952 – August 16, 2025
Marcia Louise Gardinier, 73, of Clear Lake passed away Saturday, August 16, 2025, at the Heritage Care Center in Mason City after a courageous battle with cancer.
A celebration of life memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, August 25, 2025, at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 310 First Ave North, Clear Lake, Iowa 50428, with Mark Doebel conducting the service. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Marcia Louise Olson was born July 4, 1952, in Mason City, the daughter of Clare and Violet (Jolly) Olson. She attended school in Ventura, where she was active in the band, playing the clarinet, and was honored as both Band Queen and Homecoming Queen. She graduated from Ventura High School with the Class of 1970. Marcia was confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Clear Lake.
On May 12, 1972, Marcia was united in marriage to Jim Gardinier at Pilot Knob in Forest City, Iowa, on horseback. Together, Marcia and Jim shared a lifelong passion for horses. They were active members of the Horsemen of Iowa, and Marcia competed in barrel racing. The couple raised and sold Quarter Horses and later miniature horses, which were sold to buyers across the world. In addition to horses, they also raised and trained dogs, along with other animals and birds. Both were active in the Pony Express for many years.
Marcia and Jim enjoyed their time at Lake Pepin, where they loved fishing and visiting the casinos. Marcia especially cherished celebrating her July 4th birthday at the casino, including her most recent one.
Those left to cherish her memory include her sister, Ruth Ann (Doug) Henning; nieces and nephews, April Sheimo and fiancé Tony, John (Lynn) Sheimo, Ashley Olson, and Steven (Linda) Cash; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Pam Peterson, Steve Gardinier, Jerry (Shelly) Gardinier, Ruthann Reimers, and Barbara (Russ) Ehrhardt; her dedicated friend, Alan Fisher along with her loving rescue dog, Abby.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jim; her sister, Mary Butts; her brother, David Olson; and her brother-in-law, Tom Gardinier.
The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Heritage Care Center in Mason City and the St. Croix Hospice staff for the compassionate care given to Marcia.
Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 310 First Ave North, Clear Lake, Iowa 50428. 641-357-2193
colonialchapels.com