Sheila Marilyn Gardner Jorgensen

Sheila Marilyn Gardner Jorgensen, age 92 of Orem, Utah, passed away Saturday, December 13, 2025. Sheila Marilyn Gardner was born on November 9, 1933, in Auburn, California, to Ernest Lewin and Meletia Elizabeth Gardner. Sheila grew up as an only child until the age of 16, when she was blessed to add a sister, Gynell, to the family. Sheila’s young years were spent living in several different homes between Wyoming, California, and Utah. At the age of 14, Sheila’s dad moved the family to Orderville, UT, where she attended the first few years of high school. In her senior year, her family was uprooted and moved back to California, where she graduated from high school. The following four years, Sheila attended Brigham Young University (BYU) and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. During her senior year at BYU, Sheila took a class from Clive Jorgensen who was a graduate assistant. It wasn’t long before they dated and were engaged to be married. Sheila was a devout member of the LDS church throughout her life. She and Clive were married in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Salt Lake City temple on August 15, 1955. A year later, Sheila gave birth to a baby boy whom they named Erik. A year following that, another baby boy was born, named Garn. After five years passed, Sheila gave birth to another boy, Sean, who had difficulties and died after one day of life. Another three years later, her last boy, Kris, was born. After apparently not being able to birth a girl, which she desperately wanted, she was blessed to be able to adopt a beautiful little girl whom she and Clive named Stacy. She loved all her family and was able to raise all her living children to adulthood.

Sheila spent her professional years teaching elementary school, kindergarten and first graders. Sheila loved teaching, and it showed in the way she devoted her life to doing so. Over the years, she received numerous teaching awards, but mostly she was rewarded with the love of her students and their parents. She remained in touch with many of them even until the day of her passing. Sheila found joy in rereading the numerous letters she received from many of her school children and their parents.

In 2017, Shelia’s husband of 62 years passed away. Sheila was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother to her family. We take comfort in knowing she is now joyfully reunited with her two sons, one granddaughter, her husband, and parents. We picture her free from physical limitations, walking, running, and dancing once again. Her legacy will live on through time and all eternity.

Sheila is survived by her son Erik (Myrna), son Garn (LaVerna), and daughter Stacy (Chris). She is preceded in death by her son, Kris (Katy), and son Sean. She has 12 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

A viewing for family and friends will be held on Monday, January 5th, 2026, from 10:30-11:30 am at Wheeler & Sundberg Funeral Home, 495 South State Street, Orem. Funeral services will begin at 12:00 p.m. also at Wheeler-Sundberg Funeral Home. Interment will be in the Orem City Cemetery, located at 1520 North 800 East, Orem.

Condolences for the family may be expressed on this page.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Brigham Young University in memory of Sheila Marilyn Gardner Jorgensen and for the Kris Lon Jorgensen endowed scholarship fund. Click here to make a contribution.  https://donate.churchofjesuschrist.org/contribute/byu?funds=301501517