Annette Gardiner

Annette Wallace Gardiner, age 97, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at St. Patrick's Hospital in Missoula, Mont. 

She was born on June 11, 1927, in Anna, Ill., to Robert and Florence Marie (Hilton) Wallace. She was a 1945 graduate of Cobden, Illinois High School, home of the "Appleknockers," and in 1942 Annette was selected as the Cobden Peach Festival Queen. While attending Southern Illinois University, she met Robert Allyn Gardiner from Herrin, Ill. 

Annette and Robert married in 1951 and after a brief stint of living in Evansville, Ind. they settled in Herrin where they gave birth to their daughter, Susan. Annette was a member of the Herrin Presbyterian Church and the Herrin Women's Club. She loved cooking, sewing, annual trips to Estes Park, Colo., and playing Canasta with her family and friends. 

In 2004, Annette relocated to Billings, Mont. to be closer to her daughter, Susan, son-in-law, Mike, and grandson, Michael. During her time in Billings, she made many new friends at Mission Ridge Senior Living Community. She also enjoyed attending Michael's sports activities and school events. Annette moved to Polson, Mont., in 2019 where she enjoyed spending time on the shores of Flathead Lake. 

Annette is survived by her daughter, Susan (Gardiner) Gulledge and son-in-law, Mike of Polson, Mont.; grandson, Michael and his wife, Shelby (Towe) of Missoula, Mont.; and niece, Karen Siener Driver of Decatur, Ill. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; sister, Lorraine Wallace Siener; and nephew, Steven Siener. The burial will take place at Walker Hill Cemetery, Grand Tower, Ill.