Kenneth E. Gardner, 79, of Ness City, Kansas, died at his home in Ness City on Tuesday, April 26, 2011.  Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at the Pine Bluffs Baptist Church in Pine Bluss with Pastor Dan DeBruyn officiating.  Burial will be held in the Pine Bluffs Cemetery.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.  Memorials have been established to the Ness County Hospital Home Health at 312 E. Custer, Ness City, KS., 67560.  The arrangements have been entrusted to the Cantrell Funeral Home.

Kenneth Earl Gardner was born in Kimball on July 4, 1931, the son of Myles and Ruth (Ernst) Gardner.  He was married to Mary Ellis on October 1, 1967 in Cheyenne. WY.  He was a farmer and rancher, a member of the Pine Bluffs Baptist Church and the Farmers Union in Pine Bluffs.

Survivors include his wife Mary of Ness City, KS; son Michael Gardner of Pine Bluffs, WY; daughter Melanie Gardner of Littleton, CO; brothers Richard (Mary Jane) and LeRoy (Glenda) Gardner both of Pine Bluffs, WY; and a sister Ellen (Don) Strube of Riverton, WY.  He was preceded in death by and infant brother and sister, two nephews and one niece.