- Date Of Birth: December 19, 1935
- Date Of Death: March 8, 2020
- State: Iowa
Gladys Doocy, 84, of Spirit Lake passed away on Sunday, March 8, 2020 at Accura Healthcare of Spirit Lake.
Born to Norwegian immigrants Olaf and Margit (Kumle) Helland on December 19, 1935, in Estherville, Iowa, Gladys Kathleen Helland was destined to become a mother and a teacher. Gladys grew up on her family farm near Cylinder, Iowa, with her parents, brother Orville, sister Marion, as well as her mother’s parents. After graduating from Cylinder High School, Gladys so adequately pursued a career in teaching at Waldorf College in Forest City. Shortly after crossing the graduation stage in 1956, Gladys accepted her first teaching job in Titonka, Iowa. Gladys was no stranger to small towns, but she was quite anxious about leaving her support system of family and friends behind and moving to a town just shy of 600 people. Upon arrival, Gladys rented a small room in a house and eagerly awaited the start of the school year, so she could meet some people, and that she did. Midweek of Gladys’ second week in Titonka, Gladys met George Doocy.
George contends that Gladys stole his heart immediately, and he knew he had to live life right to be worthy of her hand. George proposed to Gladys on her birthday, December 19, 1958. On August 13 of 1959, George and Gladys married in a private ceremony in Wesley, Iowa. The newlyweds moved to Owatonna, Minnesota, to start their family. The next year after the birth of their first daughter and another on the way, George and Gladys relocated to Spirit Lake, Iowa, and eventually opened Doocy’s Mobil and Country Store. Once their youngest turned four, Gladys started working at Spirit Lake Elementary School and continued substitute teaching on a regular basis until she turned 70. However, the impact she had on students stood the test of time as she continued to come in contact with students, she had touched so many years previously.
In her free-time, Gladys enjoyed taking walks in Spirit Lake, writing letters, solving Jumble puzzles, visiting with friends, cruising around the Lakes Area with George in their ’66 Bronco and ’55 Chevy, attending sporting events at Spirit Lake High School, following the Iowa Hawkeyes and Cyclones, and spending time with George, her five daughters (and their spouses), and her eight grandchildren. It was evident to all that Gladys’ life was filled with love. Gladys lived life to the fullest, and her peaceful, caring demeanor brought joy to all in which she came in contact.
Now Gladys is at rest with her mother, Margit, father, Olaf, sister Marion, and brother-in-law David. Gladys is survived by her brother Orville (Joan) Helland of Cylinder, Iowa, and their children Denise, Lori, and Erik; her husband George Doocy (Spirit Lake, IA), and their children Diana Koppen (Spencer, IA), husband Wayne and son Samuel; Kathleen Nord (Harrisburg, SD), husband Pat, sons Logan and Truman, and daughter MacKenzie; Debra Harms (Spirit Lake, IA), husband Brian and daughter Macy; Pamela Curry (Eads, TN), husband Jeff, and daughters Jayden and Jule Layne; and daughter Janine (Canistota, SD), husband Rodney, and daughter Reya.
So much joy filled Gladys’ life as she and George raised five girls. In between the visits and grandchildren that filled their home, they sat in their living room at 911 Gary Avenue reminiscing and anticipating the next visits and calls, with their hearts ever listening to the laughter in the walls.
