Marvin James Gardner, 86, passed away at his home on August, 22, 2016 in Brush, Colorado. He was surrounded by friends and family as he fought a short battle with cancer.

Marvin was born on May 16, 1930 in Ordway, Co to Guy and Mary Gardner. The family moved to Maywood, Nebraska when Marvin was five. He had two brothers, Robert and Ed; three sisters, Mary Jane Nelson, Eve Mason and Rose Bartlett, all of whom preceded him in death.

Marvin married Louise Glaze on February 10, 1948. They moved to Crook, Colorado in 1950 and Marvin worked at Condon's Ranch for sixteen years. Though he loved ranching, his heart was in law enforcement. He joined the Sheriff's Department in Sterling, Colorado under Vince Bianco. Within a year he started a new career with the Colorado Division of Wildlife. He spent thirty one wonderful years managing the Tamarack Ranch in Crook, Colorado. Marvin retired in 1998 and he and Louise moved to Brush, Colorado to be near their grandchildren.

Marvin had a great life doing things he loved. He was a firearms instructor and competed on pistol teams but nothing compared to his passion for collecting, the "thrill of the hunt". He was well known for a long list of varied collections and could make any day seem like Christmas.

Marvin had a love for things of the past and spent eleven years as President of the Crook Historical Society. There he spearheaded the marking of two stage stations on the Overland Trail and restoring an old railroad car.

Marvin was preceded in death by his parents, brothers and sisters and his three year old son, Roger. Also, twelve year old grandson, Ryan Quint; and son-in-law, Larry Garvik.

Marvin is survived by his wife, Louise; daughters, Shianne (Brett) DeTamble, Sharon (Gary) Wilson, Sheryl Garvik; his grandchildren, Jeremy (Rosie) Garvik, Michele (Terry) Blake, Dawnell (Aaron) Dunihoo, Jaime (Ben) Brunner, 9 great grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Friday, August 26, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 340 Stanford Street, Brush, Colorado. Interment will follow in the Brush Memorial Cemetery. There will be a viewing on Thursday, August 25, 2016 from 4-6 p.m. followed by a Rosary at the Heer Mortuary Chapel, 222 Cameron Street, Brush, Colorado.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society in care of Heer Mortuary.