Gladys was a courageous and amazing lady that survived a first stroke two years ago with a positive attitude but acceptance of her limitations that necessitated moving into assisted living at Bickford cottage in Urbandale. She always thought of her family before herself and was more concerned about their wellbeing rather than her own up until the end. She joined her husband, LeRoy, of 60 years of marriage and five brothers Ivan, Lawrence, Howard, Don, Bud and two sister’s Helen Muller, Marjorie Christianson, and one son Larry.

She was born Gladys Ella McCord on November 19, 1920, to parents, Elnore and George McCord in Marshalltown, Iowa. She graduated from Marshalltown High School in 1939 and later went on to nurses training at St. Thomas Hospital where she graduated as an LPN. She practiced nursing for a short period of time before marrying LeRoy and becoming a full time mother and homemaker. Shortly thereafter she was left alone while LeRoy went off to the Navy in WWII. After returning from the war, they bought a farm and moved to the Dunbar, Iowa area where they resided until 1957 when they moved to Le Grand, Iowa. Gladys then took a job as secretary to the superintendent of the Le Grand (later LDF) school system, where she worked for 21 years. After raising and educating three sons, (Larry, Darrel and Tim), Gladys and LeRoy retired to Sun City West, Arizona for twenty years where they enjoyed life to the fullest in their golden years. She continued to be active and achieved special expertise in ceramics which she taught and became president of the ceramics club in Sun City West. After 20 years they moved back to Marshalltown because of LeRoy’s health where they resided for a short period of time. After LeRoy’s passing, she moved into a condo in Urbandale to be closer to her sons, Darrel and Tim and four of her seven grandchildren, who resides in the Des Moines area. She has nine great-grandchildren. She took care of herself with minimal help in her own home until the age of 94 when she had a stroke that necessitated the move into assisted living. She continued to be as active and joyful as ever, was a delight to care for and was a favorite of the staff at Bickford.

She will be remembered by her family as a strong and courageous lady, full of life and vitality who was at the same time a gentle and kind soul who loved to be of service for others. As a mother, she was always there to help if needed with unconditional love. She will serve as an example to us all on how to be a loving and gently guiding parent while aging gracefully into a wise and supportive grandparent. She will be missed greatly but never forgotten.