Isaac Gardner

Isaac R. Gardner, 3 months, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday April 21, 2016. He was born on January 13, 2016 in Duluth, MN to Chris and Christy Gardner.

Isaac Robert was an amazing little boy. He was born at St. Luke's hospital via an emergency C-section. His cord was wrapped around his little body when he was inside his mommy and was getting compressed with every contraction during labor. Dr. Susan Goltz and many other medical staff put forth a heroic effort and they were able to save Isaac. He was blue at birth but with resuscitation he was able to make a full recovery from his traumatic birth experience.

We were overjoyed and in awe that our baby boy had no apparent brain damage from potential loss of oxygen to his brain. In his three short months of life his daddy and I would just stop and stare at his beautiful face in awe that he was still alive.

Isaac brought such joy to our family in his short life. He has three older siblings that adored him. His sister Ella who is eight was like a junior mom to him. She absolutely loved holding him, carrying him around when mom wasn't looking, changing his diapers, and helping mommy with him in any way that she could.

His sister, Isabel, was who he resembled the most in physical appearance. Everyone said he looks just like Izzy, and we agreed. He had her nose, chin, reddish hair, and vibrant smile. She had a deep love for her brother Isaac also. Mommy could almost picture what Isaac would look like as a six-year-old boy by looking at his sister.

Ian became a big brother, instead of the baby of the family when Isaac arrived. He really took it all in stride and was ever so kind and patient with his baby. He loved it when the girls were at school and mommy would put Isaac in his crib to goo at his mobile while Ian handed him matchbox cars through the slats of his crib and talked /sang to him as he played.

In his short life, Isaac was able to experience so many wonderful things. He was able to go to Iowa over Easter weekend and meet many family members. He was able to spend a week in paradise with his family and paternal grandparents on Anna Maria Island, Florida earlier this month. He got to stick his little toes in the ocean and go for his first swim.

Isaac, we love you so much. We do not understand the "whys" or how it can be true that you are gone. We know you are in the arms of your Lord and that your story will bring people to Jesus. In that we find comfort. We repeat out loud: God can redeem ANY situation. He is GOOD. His mercy and love endures FOREVER

Isaac is survived by his parents Chris and Chirsty, siblings Ella, Isabel, and Ian, maternal grandparents Robert and Elaine Braun of Mason City, IA, paternal grandparents Robert and Mary Gardner of Baltimore, MD, aunts and uncles Jeff and Jennifer Braun of Garner, IA, Greg and Carrie Braun of Mason City, IA, and Elizabeth and Christopher Neumann of Strasburg, PA, and cousins; Tanner, Mya, Blaiden, Gavin and Beckett Braun, Madison, Paige, Jenna and Gracyn Braun, and Anthony and Cecilia Neumann.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday April 26, 2016 from 5pm to 7pm in Lakeview Covenant Church, 1001 Jean Duluth Road, Duluth, MN 55804, and will continue on Wednesday April 27, 2016 from 10am until the 11am Funeral Service in the Church. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home. 218-727-3555