Jodie Garten

Jodie Jan Packard Garten passed away on Friday, November 18, 2016, due to complications following knee surgery. She was 57. Jodie is preceded in death by her parents (Gerald Packard and John & Joyce Bishop), her siblings (Jeff Packard and Jill Packard), her husband (A.B. Garten) and her daughter (Anya Garten). Jodie is survived by her children Arya Jones (Tim), Amber Kerbo, Jordan Garten, Amy Garten, AubreyEnna Garten, and Alyssa Garten. Jodie was born January 27, 1959 in Wellington, Kansas, where she lived for the first few years of her life. Her family then moved to Colorado Springs, CO, where she spent the rest of her childhood. After her parents divorced, her mom was remarried to John Bishop and the family relocated to Manitou Springs. Jodie graduated from Manitou Springs High School, where she enjoyed drama and excelled academically. Jodie’s true passion throughout high school and college was playing her trombone in the band. At the age of 18, she joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She attended the University of Northern Colorado and earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She then met and married A.B. Garten, also from Colorado Springs. Jodie lived and taught in Colorado Springs and Stratton, Colorado. She earned a master’s degree in Special Education from University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. She got a special education teaching job in Rock Springs, WY and moved there with her husband and four children. After a couple years there, the family relocated to Star Valley, WY, where they lived for 13 years. During that time, three more children joined the family and then Jodie’s husband unexpectedly passed away, leaving her a widow with seven children one week before her 38th birthday on January 21st, 1997. She also managed to earn another master’s degree, in Deaf Education, from Idaho State University during those years. After a brief stint teaching in Kenai, Alaska, Jodie relocated to Colorado to be closer to her family. She was able to take care of both her sister and mother prior to their individual passing’s. She worked as a special education teacher at Sabin Middle School in Colorado Springs for the last eight years. Jodie valued education, her religion and faith, and her family. She had a wonderful sense of humor, and despite many challenges in life, she could always find something to be happy about. She knew how to make people feel good about themselves and was a friend to those in need and those who knew they could count on her for a listening ear or a good laugh. She loved being a grandma to her six grandchildren and she was the rock that all her children depended on. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends, co-workers, students, and congregation. Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 26, 2016 at the LDS Church, Centennial Building, 5375 Centennial, Colorado Springs, CO 80919. Viewing at 12:00 p.m. and funeral services to follow at 1:00 p.m. Burial in Smoot, Wyoming on Monday, November 28 at 3:00 p.m.