Alan Walter Gardemeyer, 87, passed away peacefully Sunday, February 10, 2013 in Elk Grove, California surrounded by his family. Alan was born in Pasadena on May 12, 1925 and was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 55 years, Olive Elizabeth Gardemeyer.

Alan was raised in San Francisco and served in the Merchant Marines and then in the Army during World War II. After his wartime service, Alan met the love of his life, Olive E. Carter, in Hollywood, California. Following their marriage on February 10, 1947 they moved to San Francisco and then East Palo Alto where he began his career, first as a fireman and then as a carpenter. Alan was a journeyman master carpenter. During the daylight hours he worked for many homebuilders in the San Francisco bay area and then in the Stockton area. In the evenings and on weekends he could be found in the garage with his sons building wood boats and cabinets. He and Olive shared their love of camping, boating and fishing throughout the delta, foothill lakes and the Sierras with their children, grandchildren and friends.

Alan is survived by all five of his children: Diane (Rick) Hodges, Alabama; Dennis (Denice) Gardemeyer, El Dorado Hills, CA; Charlie (Diane) Gardemeyer, Chico, CA; Barbara (Edward) Woodson-White, Elk Grove, CA; and Gayle (Chuck) Testerman, Texas; and by 19 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
There will be a visitation on Thursday, February 14th from 12-8 p.m. and Funeral Service on Friday, February 15th, 10:00 a.m., both at, Herberger's Elk Grove Funeral Chapel, 9101 Elk Grove Blvd., Elk Grove, CA, (916) 686-1888, followed by committal at the San Joaquin Catholic Cemetery, 719 E. Harding Way, Stockton, CA. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Alan's memory to: Bread of Life, P.O. Box 446, Stockton, CA 95201 (www.breadoflifestockton.org).