Gladys was born on September 15, 1921, the daughter of Joe and Elsie Knoll and was raised on a farm north of Orcadia. She was the second oldest child - Leona was her older sister, Louis, her younger brother and Joyce, her youngest sister. Their home was very happy with many fond memories. Gladys would say "our family may not have had a lot of style, but there was always good food and our home was filled with love." Gladys attended Grunert School until Grade 10, then completed Grade 12 at the Yorkton Collegiate Institute. She attended Teacher's College in Regina or as they called it "Normal School". Windsor School near Springside was her first teaching position. It was through those travels from Orcadia to Springside that Gladys met her sweetheart, Gordon. It also helped that Leona dated and married Gordon's oldest brother, Wesley. Gladys has fond memories of her youth and the many times they planned parties. She particularly remembers the young men getting together and creating a skating rink. They worked hard to clean off three "ponds" or river beds. They would haul barrels of water, and flood the rinks. The mothers graciously provided food for 20 - 30 young folks - doughnuts, cookies, angel food cake, all made from scratch. Often the evening would end with a bonfire and a wiener roast. What memories!! Gladys and Gordon were married on July 4, 1944. They had a wonderful marriage of 59 years. Don was born in 1946, Doug in 1947, Florence in 1952. Gladys stayed home to raise their young family. They operated a mixed farm with dairy cattle and grain. Gladys helped along with milking cows until her arms ached and she suggested to Gordon that she could go back into teaching. In 1961 she decided to go back to summer school to upgrade. She started teaching again at a one room school, first Grunert and then Windsor. The schools were filled with about 12 children grades 1-8. After the one room schools were closed she moved her teaching career into Yorkton teaching at many of the elementary schools. She taught for 24 years and retired in 1983. She loved her career. Gordon and Gladys loved curling and gardening, she also enjoyed sewing. Most importantly, she loved people. She was a cancer survivor and was involved for twenty years with the Canadian Cancer Society and especially enjoyed the "Reach to Recovery" program. She also loved to cook at Good Spirit Bible Camp. Gordon and Gladys loved to travel. They enjoyed the West and East coast of Canada; they traveled Europe and enjoyed the history. They also traveled to Cameroon, West Africa to visit their oldest son, Don and family while they were missionaries. After retirement Gladys worked as a volunteer in the hospital in the admitting department and also would help at the "Soup Haven". Gladys took care of people, from her family members, extended family, cousins, and anyone she would become involved with. In November of 2003 she lost her sweetheart Gordon. With the help of her family, she moved into Yorkton. After two moves she settled into Bentley Retirement Community. She lived there for four years and enjoyed all the friends who would come and go. She will be missed dearly by her children, her 8 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren, her sister, her brother-in-law, her sister-in-law, her nieces, nephews, friends and all that knew her. A Service of Comfort for Family and Friends was held on Friday, January 20, 2012 from the Chapel of Christie's Funeral Home in Yorkton, Saskatchewan with Pastor Mike Anderson officiating. The service included congregational singing, "In The Garden" and "Precious Lord, Take My Hand", scripture reading as well as a time for sharing for family and friends. The Funeral Service was held on Saturday, January 21, 2012 from Springside Baptist Church in Springside, SK with Pastor Mike Anderson officiating. The ushers were Ken Effa and Leith Pinder. As the family was seated a special taped music selection of Gladys' late husband, Gordon singing "His Eye is on the Sparrow" was played. The organist, Loreen Tillman and congregational song leader, Marlon Milbrandt led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, "And Can It Be" and "How Great Thou Art". The scripture was read by Faith Knoll. Special music was provided by a trio of Joanne Effa, Wendy Effa and Lorna Breitkreuz (accompanied by Diane Jones) who sang, "Where Roses Never Fade" and by soloist, Sheldon Fichtner who sang, "Peace in the Valley". Tributes were shared by Gladys' sister, Joyce Effa, her oldest grandchild, Taunya Wirzba and her children, Don Goltz, Doug Goltz and Florence Fried. The interment followed in the Springside Town Cemetery with Taunya Wirzba, Brian Wirzba, Jon Fried, David Fried, Kendra Goltz and Mathew Goltz serving as the casket bearers. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
