Alma "Louise" Garner

Alma “Louise” Garner, 83, of Bloomington and formerly of Divernon, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 25, 2022, at the Villas of Holly Brook in Bloomington.

Louise was born on May 7, 1939, at home in Divernon, Illinois, the daughter of Cecil and Leah Nicholson Byrum.

She married Robert Lee Garner on July 1, 1961, and he preceded her in death in 2005. She was also preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Cecil Edwin Byrum, Jr.; one sister, Eleanor Jane McMann; and a niece, Gayle Staley.

She graduated from Divernon High School in 1957 where she was a cheerleader. She also loved ballet and tap dancing. She enjoyed ice skating and roller skating, water skiing and bowling with Bob in various leagues. She had four cats that she pampered and called “her boys.”  Most of all, Louise loved keeping up with her grandchildren and following their activities.  She made scrapbooks for all of them.

Louise chose to make raising her family her livelihood while caring for many other infants and children through the years. When her oldest daughter turned 16, Louise started working for the Illinois State Board of Education Child Care Food and Nutrition program where she retired after 24 years.

She found faith in Jesus Christ as a young woman and was a life-long member of the United Methodist Church. She was actively involved in United Methodist Women, Bible School, Sunday School and as a lay leader. She was also active in the community where she served on the Divernon School Board and was instrumental in organizing and leading the Girl Scouts program in Divernon.

Louise is survived by her four daughters: Tracy Lee (Greg) Severns, Terri Jo (David) Englund, Tammy Sue Caspar and Robbi Lynne Garner; and six grandchildren: Dana, Logan and Lane Caspar, Ethan Severns and Dmitry and Dion Englund.

Cremation rites were accorded.

Visitation will be from 10 am until the time of service at 11 am on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, at Bramley Funeral Home, Divernon, with Rev. Bobby Davis officiating. Burial will be in Brush Creek Cemetery, Divernon.

Memorials may be made to Divernon United Methodist Church, 503 S. 2nd St., Divernon, IL 62530.

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