- Date Of Birth: October 29, 1922
- Date Of Death: January 15, 2011
- State: Illinois
Gerry Gladson, 88, passed away, January 15, 2011 at Rosewood Care Center in Galesburg where she had been a resident for a year and a half. She was born October 29, 1922 in Chicago.
She is survived by her husband of 13 years, Robert D. Gladson of Galesburg, as well as her four children, Cookie (Mrs. Terry) Wilkison of Clarklake, MI, Mr. Carl Swanson, Jr. of Galesburg, Carolee (Mrs. James) Moore also of Galesburg, and Mr. Jim (and Kathy) Swanson of Sun City West, AZ, and their families. She also has one step daughter, Kathy (Mrs. Carl) Miller of Galesburg. She is survived by 10 grandchildren, 12 step grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, and 1great great step granddaughter. She was very proud of her family.
Gerry was preceded in death by her parents, George and Minnie (Bewersdorf) Klinge, and her one sister, Violet Doore, as well as her first husband, Carl “Cully” F. Swanson to whom she had been married 55 years.
Gerry was a proud member of the Galesburg High class of 1940. She married Carl Swanson on July 23, 1941 in Spartanburg, SC. While raising her family she worked a variety of local jobs and ultimately retired from Cottage Hospital. During her 28 years at Cottage, she advanced to become a surgical technician, a position she enjoyed for many years. With God-given talents in art and music, she loved having the time after retirement to paint the beauty of nature.
She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Galesburg, and Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Sun City West, AZ, where she and Robert had spent their winters during their marriage. In previous years, she had been extremely active in the church, especially the Sunday school department. She used her talents to design and create beautiful seasonal church banners. She will be cherished always by her friends and family as a gentle spirit.
