Michael ‘Butch’ Lynn Gardner

After a long illness, Michael Lynn Gardner, ‘Butch’ to all that knew him and loved him, passed away at age 66, on December 19th, 2024. Born in Council, Idaho on April 23, 1958. He was the son of George Henry Gardner and Mildred Fern Gardner.

Butch was raised in New Meadows, Idaho, and graduated at Meadows Valley High School in 1976. He grew up enjoying all that Meadows Valley had to offer, snow machining, riding motorcycles, fishing, hunting, camping and the friendships, social life and the comfort that growing up in a small, close-knit community offer.

After high school, Butch went to work for his sister Susie and her husband at Diamond Fence Company in Fairbanks, Alaska. After Fairbanks, Butch went to work building power transmission lines all around the western U.S. He was a heavy equipment operator and a member of the IBEW. Butch could operate just about anything with an engine and worked in that industry until illness forced him to retire.

Butch married Debbie Osgood in 1984 and from this marriage, his daughter Kyla Jo was born. They later divorced. In 1989, Butch met the love of his life, Joyce Oakland. They were together for thirty-five years and were together until the end.

Butch and Joyce split their time living in a big fifth-wheel near the jobs and at their home in New Meadows.

Joyce, Kyla, and his grandson Graham were the focus and the loves of Butch’s life. He was surrounded by comfort and love, especially in the latter stages of his illness. Butch drew folks to him with his easygoing manner and big heart. He was always ready and willing to help out family and friends; the friendships that he made lasted a lifetime. He had a great sense of humor, an easy smile, and a laugh that we will all miss.

Butch is survived by his wife Joyce, his daughter Kyla and grandson Graham, his sister, Susan (Dick) Burns, Meridian; Nieces: Jackie (Ian) Thomason Atkinson, McCall, Peggy (Phillips) Johnson and Mary Lou (Phillips) Willis, Soldotna, AK, Marla (Sam) Gardner Peterson, Meridian, Debbie Gardner, Garden City, LaVelle (Jack) Gardner Webb, Nampa. Nephews: Doyle (Regina) Thomason, Twin Falls, Glen (Brittany) Gardner, Challis, Bill (Sonia) Gardner, Middleton and many great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Mildred Gardner, his sister Iva Fay (Gardner) Phillips, his brother George Gardner, Nephews: Chris Phillips, Byron Phillips and niece Korena Sue (Thomason) Baker.

Many thanks to all of you who provided words of encouragement, support, care, and love to Joyce, Kyla, Graham and the rest of the family. A celebration of life service will be held in the spring of 2025.

You will be missed, Butch.

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