Coobs, Gladys Emma (Glawe) 1915-2003

GOTTSCHALK, GLAWE, COOBS, MARMANN, THOMPSON, PALAS LEUCHTENMACHER, JEFFERY, ONEAL

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 12/15/2007 at 17:14:26

GLADYS EMMA COOBS

Funeral services for Gladys Emma (Glawe) Coobs, 88, of Elkader were held Friday, May 30, 2003 at Peace United Church of Christ, Elkader. The Rev. Shane Estes officiated. Burial was in East Side Cemetery, Elkader. Music was provided by Jean Welsh, organist. Honorary bearers were members of the Mary Circle of Peace Church. Casket bearers were grandsons, Cory Coobs, Jason Marmann, Doug Coobs, Evan Coobs, Eric Coobs, Keith McCormick and Jim Thompson. Leonard Funeral Home, Elkader, was in charge of arrangements.

She was born January 2, 1915, at St. Olaf, Iowa, the firstborn of Albert and Lucinda (Gottschalk) Glawe. She was baptized on January 15, 1915, at her home in Read Township and confirmed at Peace Church, Elkader on March 24, 1929, by Rev. C.H. Franke. Gladys attended grade school in St. Olaf, after which she worked as hired help in many households.

On October 1, 1935, Rev. Paul Kitterer united her in marriage to William John Coobs, at her parent's home in rural St. Olaf. Four children were born to this union. Gladys was a farm wife until the death of her husband on September 4, 1961. She lived in Elkader for a short time, moving to Iowa City in 1962, where she was a cook at the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority house for 20 years. Her summers during most of this time were spent cooking at Camp Wipigaki in northern Wisconsin. In 1982, she retired and moved back to Elkader.

She became involved in the community, holding offices in various organizations and doing volunteer work. She was also an active member of Peace Church and the Mary Circle in Elkader. Gladys enjoyed playing cards, visiting friends and was an avid quilter, spending many hours quilting for family and friends. She also enjoyed traveling and did so while her health permitted.

In July 2001, she moved to the Elkader Care Center due to complications of a broken hip. She died Tuesday night, May 27, 2003, at the Elkader Care Center following a brief illness.

She is survived by two sons, Edward (Sandra) Coobs, Elkader, Donald (Rebecca) Coobs, Dixon; two daughters, Shirley (Donald) Marmann, Farmersburg, and Dorothy Thompson, Muscatine; 11 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; a brother, Bernelle (Wilma) Glawe; Elkader; three sisters, Vera Palas of Elkader, Betty Leuchtenmacher of Elkader and Bonnie Jeffery of Arlington, Texas; many nieces, nephews and other family and friends.

Preceding her in death was her husband, William; her parents; a grandson, Michael James Thompson; son-in-law, Verdean Thompson; step-grandson, Sean Lamphier; brothers, Harvey, Lloyd, Verdine and Raymond; sisters Lucille O'Neal and Darlene who died in infancy.

Gladys will be sadly missed by family and friends.

Waukon Standard, June 5, 2003