Janice Loveland Poulsen Gardner

Janice Loveland Poulsen Gardner, age 91, passed away on Saturday, March 18, 2023 in Brigham City, Utah.  She was born December 22, 1931 to Edna Gibbs and Dewain Dyrious Loveland, in Brigham City, Utah, the youngest of six children. 

Jan attended Deweyville Elementary and Bear River High School.  She graduated in 1950, in the top 10% of her class, and was chosen to speak at her graduation.  She married James Henry Poulsen on September 30, 1950.  They were later sealed in the Logan, Utah LDS temple.  Together they had three sons; James “Jim” Henry Jr., Lyle Joseph, and Kurt Jay.  She was widowed on October 29, 1958 when Jim was killed in a construction accident.  She married Corvil J. “Cork” Gardner on November 23, 1962.  Together they welcomed a fourth son, Clayt C.  She and Cork later divorced. 

According to Mom “Hunting, fishing, baseball, football, basketball, and softball are all a part of life when you raise a family of sons like mine. All good athletes of whom I am proud”.  Over the years she enjoyed softball, racquetball, bowling, and whitewater rafting.  Other hobbies included embroidery, an occasional Levi quilt, and working in her yard.  In 1986 Jan was inducted into the Utah Softball Hall of Fame (for women’s fastpitch).  She played for The Utah Shamrocks, Reese’s 66, and The Hamilton Drug Team.

She never wanted to work outside the home, but the circumstances in her life didn’t make that possible.  She worked for Wade Bros. Construction, Safeway for 17 years, Thiokol for 4 years, La-Z-Boy for a short time, and retired from Rite Aid Distribution at the age of 68. 

She enjoyed many callings in the church including MIA, Primary, Relief Society, Sunday School, Cub Scouts, Stake and ward athletics, Activities Committee, many positions in the Young Women’s organization, and the Deweyville Town emergency preparedness committee.    She was a dedicated and loving visiting teacher, and minister, until her passing. 

Her happiest times were spent with her sons and their families.  She hosted family parties and picnics for every holiday and occasion.  She always supported her family in all their activities and adventures. 

She is survived by her sons: Jim of Deweyville, UT; Kurt (Michele) of Jackson Hole, WY; Clayt (Jann) of Tremonton, UT; daughter-in-law, Sue Poulsen of Brigham City, UT; sister-in-law, Flo Loveland, of Willard, UT; sister-in-law, Carol (Gerald) Jenson of Woods Cross, UT; sister-in-law, Fern Gardner, of St. George, UT. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandsons, and numerous nieces and nephews.   

She was preceded in death by her parents, step dad (Irving Marble), husband James Henry Poulsen, Son Lyle Joseph, ex-husband Cork Gardner; siblings Ione (Al) Smith, Lyle Loveland (in WWII), Loa (Ursel) Knudsen, Nola Dean Loveland, and Dewain Loveland; step siblings Gerald “Bud” Marble, and Emma Lou Marble;  and daughter-in-law Karleen Poulsen.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 24, 2023, at 11A.M. at the Deweyville LDS Church (10750 N 3000 W – Deweyville).  Viewings will be held on Thursday, March 23, 2023 from 6-8 P.M. at Rogers & Taylor Funeral Home (111 N 100 E – Tremonton) and prior to the funeral service at the church from 9-10:30AM.  Interment in the Brigham City Cemetery.

The Family would like to thank Dr Matthew Welter and staff at Living Tree Medical for their compassionate care.

 In lieu of flowers, please donate to Primary Children’s Hospital, LDS Church humanitarian fund, or the charity of your choice. 

We love you Gardners! Until we meet again!