Marie E. Gardner, 79, Michigan City, Indiana, passed away Sunday, January 25, 2026, at 9:10 pm in Franciscan Health - Michigan City, Michigan City, Indiana.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am, Friday, February 6, 2026, at Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, 418 Washington St., Michigan City, Indiana, with Rev. Walter Rakoczy, officiating. Burial will follow in Swan Lake Memorial Gardens, Michigan City, Indiana. Visitation hours will be Thursday, February 5, 2026, from 4:00 pm -7:00 pm, and from 9:00 am until time of service on Friday, February 6, 2026, at the Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel.
She was born March 15, 1946, in Michigan City, Indiana, to the late Andrew and Edna "Loretta" (Harper) Kolasa. On January 5, 1963, in Michigan City, Indiana, she married Michael K. Gardner, Sr., who preceded her in death on
December 23, 2021. Surviving are two sons, Michael K. (Karen) Gardner, Jr., of Fishers, Indiana, Gordon "Don" (Janet) Gardner, of Michigan City, Indiana; daughter, Gabrielle "Gabby" (Chuck) Stantz, of Rolling Prairie, Indiana; grandchildren, Kendall Gardner, Hannah Gardner, Chloe (Zach Zavada) Stantz, Morgann (Ryan Pandori) Stantz, Peyton (Andy Evers)
Stantz, Ashley (George) Fernandez, Tiffany (Will) Bartley, Brandon Rector, Zoe Brown, and Lucie Brown; great-grandchildren, Leonardo Pandori, Marianna Cain, twins, Neo Bartley and Nova Bartley, Jace Smith, and Liliana Fernandez; sister, Andrea Piecuch of South Carolina; two brothers, Martin (Karolina) Kolasa of Missouri, and James Kolasa of Benton Harbor, Michigan; She was preceded in death by grandchild, Ryan Smith; brother, Raymond Kolasa and brother-in-law, Michael Piecuch.
Marie was a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Michigan City, Indiana. She was a master craftsman in the upholstery business, re-upholstering furniture for many families in the Michigan City and Long Beach area. Marie enjoyed spending her winter seasons with friends at the Lake Region Village, Haines City, Florida. Her best love was being with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and the multitude of friends that she kept close to her heart.
Contributions may be made to Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma Division of University Hospital, P.O. Box 94554, Cleveland, Ohio 44101-4554.
To sign a guest book and leave condolences online, visit our website at
www.otthaverstock.com.
