Gladys Juliana (Simonson) OLSON

OLSON, JOHNSON, SIMONSON, KELLY, SKARPNESS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 4/25/2010 at 13:13:39

Ames, Iowa -- Gladys Juliana Simonson Olson was born May 22, 1919 on a farm near Thompson, Iowa, the second of five children born to Severien and Ida Johnson Simonson. Gladys' mother died in 1929, at the height of the depression, when Gladys was nine years old. The family disbanded. Her brother, the eldest to a farm family near Thompson. Her three younger sisters to various aunts and uncles. Gladys was taken in by the local Lutheran minister and family, the Rev. J. J. Skarpness.

Gladys was a lifelong member of the Lutheran church. After graduation from high school in 1937, Gladys attended Waldorf College in Forest City for one year. In 1938 Gladys moved to Ft. Amadore, Panama Canal Zone with Ruth Skarpness and husband, Col. Allen Craig, and army doctor. She was a nanny for the Craig's four children. Upon returning from Panama, she enrolled at Drake University in Des Moines where she received her teaching degree. She then taught fourth grade in Manilla, Iowa, for two years.

In 1947 she moved to Dows, Iowa, where she taught fourth grade and met her future husband Cliff Olson. Cliff and Gladys were married August 16, 1948. In 1953 they moved to Denver, Colorado, where at the age of 36 she gave birth to her only child, Jolene.

Her parents and siblings preceded her in death. She leaves to mourn her husband Cliff of nearly 62 years, daughter Jolene and husband Marty. Her grandson Devin and great-grandson Tristan Kelly. Her grandson Shane and wife Chelsea Kelly.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with Iowa Hospice. The staff of Riverside Manor and Iowa Hospice will always be remembered for their compassion and care. A memorial service will be April 29, 2010, at 11 a.m, St. Andrews Lutheran Church, 209 Colorado Avenue, Ames, Iowa.

Des Moines Register, Iowa
April 25, 2010