Gina Gardella Obituary

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Gina Gardella, a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, who left this world on June 20, 2025, after a courageous year-and-a-half battle with cancer. Surrounded by her family, she passed away as she would have wanted, in the company of those she loved.
Born in Reno, Nevada, to Monty and Dolores Gardella, Gina developed a profound love for animals from an early age spurred from her father who was a horseman and rancher. This formed a special bond with horses that lasted her entire life. She was never without a horse by her side. She spent her life expressing this love in many ways from riding bare back as a small girl around her family land, then cutting, to finding her lifelong passion for dressage.
After graduating from high school in Reno, Gina briefly attended the University of Nevada, Reno. Finding out college was not for her, she followed her parents and younger siblings who had recently moved to New Plymouth. She then found a passion for hair and went to beauty school in Payette. She worked at Miss Donna's salon in Boise for nearly ten years. Later, Gina spent 17 years working in food service at St. Luke's, managing several kitchens and contributing her warmth and care to the community.
Gina was previously married to Rulon Day. Together they welcomed the birth of their son Tony and six years later their daughter Rebecca. Raising her children became some of Gina's proudest accomplishments and greatest delight.
Gina took immense joy in her role as a mother, cherishing the close-knit family she created. Tony and Kelli Day have two children, Charlotte (7) and Jackson (5), and Rebecca and Kelsey Kolstad also have two children, Evelyn (3) and Torsten (1). Both families reside in Idaho. Whether crafting or reading or horseback riding, Gina found great joy when spending precious moments with her grandchildren.
Her love for horses was complemented by her affection for dogs, particularly Australian Shepherds, which she began showing and winning numerous awards throughout the years. In addition to her children and grandchildren, she inspired many of her nieces and nephews with her knowledge and devotion to the care of animals.
Gina also loved the forest and seeing the natural world unfiltered. During her final year of life, she made many wonderful trips to the beautiful national forests across the country creating many great memories with her family.
Gina is survived by her two older sisters: Kathy and Gay and two younger siblings: brother Tracy and sister Jill. Her family is large and tightly knit – a Gardella family tradition is reunions over Thanksgiving, with famous home-made raviolis and the family card game of Liverpool Rummy. A service to celebrate Gina's life will be held at St. John's Cathedral in Boise on July 25th at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, Gina requested that donations be made to the Arbor Day Foundation.
Gina's life was a beautiful reflection of her love for animals, nature and the cherished time spent with family. She will be deeply missed, but her spirit will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.