Gladys Sutherland
Gladys Sutherland
Lees Summit, Missouri. Gladys Freda (Rexroth) Sutherland was called to Heaven on February 1, 2011 to join her husband Harold Sutherland. Her family believes she was an angel and after 91 years, decided it was time to go home. They will miss her greatly but have very fond memories to keep them filled with the love and warmth of her spirit. She was a remarkable and beautiful woman whose personality and positive outlook energized all who came in contact with her.
She was born in Wilton Junction, Iowa on October 22, 1919. Her parents were John Jacob Rexroth and Mary Frances (Hahn) Rexroth. She was preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters: Clifford, Lewis, Clarence, Fern, and Faith. Surviving are a brother, Calvin Rexroth, and a sister, Grace Dillman.
She was married to Harold on May 30, 1942. To this union were born Marilyn Kaye Sullivan, married to Tom; Dr. Donald Eugene Sutherland, married to Chris; and Dr. Richard Lee Sutherland, married to Marcine. Grandchildren are Shawn Sutherland, Erin Voshell, Kari Taylor, Sarah Sullivan, and Kendra Sutherland. Great grandchildren are Tyler Sutherland, Garrett Voshell, Braden Taylor and Keaton Taylor.
Gladys taught elementary grades for 29 years in communities such as University Park, Leighton and Pella. After retiring from teaching, she sponsored a “Forever Friends” group of prime time ladies that were widowed, divorced or single for about eight years, providing them with the opportunity to share experiences, study scripture, and have fun. After losing her husband of 64 years in 2006, she moved to John Knox Village Retirement Community in Lee’s Summit, MO where she resided until her passing. As a young teen, she became a Christian and worked in her church over the years with children, young people and old. She served as a pastor’s wife for a number of years. She had a loving, caring spirit that seemed to be contagious.
We miss you already Mother/Mom/Grandma/Great-Grandma, but we’ll see you again before too long. You touched all our hearts.
Funeral services for Gladys Sutherland will be held Sunday, February 6, 2011, at 2 p.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Reverend David Childers officiating. Burial will be in the University Park Cemetery at a later date. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Sunday at 12 noon in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 12 noon until service time at 2 p.m. to greet friends and relatives. The family requests no flowers. Donations may be made in Gladys’ name to the American Diabetes Association or the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Source: Bates Funeral Chapel
