Gardena V. Wallis

Gardena V. Wallis, 83, of Little Sioux, Iowa passed away Thursday, March 12, 2026 at Pleasant View Care Center, Whiting, Iowa.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, March 19, 2026 at Nealy Hall, Little Sioux, Iowa with Pastor Jerry Swanberg, officiating. A recording of the service will be posted on the Goslar Funeral Home website with Gardena’s obituary. Burial will follow in the Little Sioux Cemetery, Little Sioux, Iowa. A visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Thursday, March 19, 2026 at Nealy Hall in Little Sioux. Arrangements are under the direction of Goslar Funeral Home and Monuments, Onawa, Iowa.

Gardena Vearl Swanberg was born to Theodore “Ted” and Gladys “Pearl” (Petty) Swanberg on December 27, 1942, near Little Sioux, Iowa. Gardena grew up, along with her seven siblings in Little Sioux and graduated with the class of 1961.

On September 29, 1962, Gardena married Duane Virgil Wallis, and two children were born to this union, Duane Virgil and Brenda Jean. The family first lived west of Mondamin and later moved into the town of Mondamin, where they stayed for several years. In the mid-1970s, Gardena and her family moved into Grandma and Grandpa Coffman’s house in Little Sioux. Soon after, Gardena and Virgil purchased Gardena’s parents’ home in Little Sioux. Gardena was very happy and proud to once again live in the home where she had grown up.

Gardena worked a variety of jobs throughout her life, particularly at Stuckey’s and as a cook for West Harrison Community Schools—roles she truly enjoyed. Along with raising her children and working, she also found time to serve on the Little Sioux Town Council for several years. Gardena was a very dedicated volunteer for many years at Little Sioux’s annual Homecoming Celebration. She truly enjoyed helping with the event, and the Little Sioux Homecoming Celebration was one of her favorite days of the year.

Gardena enjoyed family dinners, picnics, and other special occasions spent with family and friends. She loved to bake and cook, especially when she could do so with her sisters. Her wonderful brownies were always a hit and much loved by family and friends.

Gardena is survived by her son, Duane (Janiece) Wallis of Little Sioux, Iowa; grandchildren, Dustin (Molly) Wallis, Dylan (Steph) Wallis, Julius “JJ” Johnson, Jeffery Yanak, Jason Yanak, Taylor Koson, and Melissa Sigler; great-grandchildren, Arden, Stetson, Adler, Archie, Julius, Brenlee, Zoey, Maggie, Andy, Haylee, Bentley, Winter, Lainey, Barrett, Bowen, and Boone; brother, Jerald “Jerry” (Wanda) Swanberg of Ankeny, Iowa; and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Virgil Wallis; her beloved daughter, Brenda Jean Wallis; her parents, Ted and Pearl (Petty) Swanberg; parents-in-law, Johnny and Sybil (Edwards) Wallis; four sisters, LaVonne (Maurice) Stewart, Phyllis (Vernon) Christensen, Wanda (Martin)McColley, and Anita (Dwight) Nuzum; and two brothers, Eugene (Violet) Bothwell and Joe (Alyce) Swanberg.

Condolences may be left online for the family at www.goslarfuneralhome.com

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