Gladys Ann Wallingford, 93, of Revere, Missouri, passed away at 11:19 a.m. Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at the Clark County Nursing Home in Kahoka, Missouri.
She and her twin sister were born at the home of Mrs. Seth Allen in Kahoka, Missouri on March 26, 1929. She was the daughter of Ray Wilbert and Gladys Faye (Ehrhart) Brewer. Her mother died on March 27, 1929. An aunt, Mary Brewer, aided her father and raised her like a daughter. She was so blessed by her maternal grandparents, William and Minnie Ehrhart, with whom she spent much time and had many precious memories.
Gladys taught briefly at a one room school house and worked at the St. Joseph Hospital in Keokuk, Iowa. Her primary calling was as a homemaker.
Through her cousin, Betty Brewer and Tom Rider (Robert’s friend) she met her future husband, Robert Wallingford. They married at the First Christian Church in Kahoka, Missouri, on November 6, 1949, by Rev. Richard Golden. She and Robert celebrated more than seventy-two years together. They have been such an example to their family with the dedication to their marriage.
Gladys was a member of the Anson Community Church in Anson, Missouri. She made her profession of faith in her Lord Jesus Christ and followed in Baptism on May 1954, by Rev. Richard Golden. She truly had the characteristics of a Proverbs 31 woman. She was faithful to God, her husband, her children and her work. Others besides her own children called her “mom” or my “other mother”. It was a two way street, as she was blessed and so were they.
Gladys was known by her family to be a fantastic cook. She was the wife of a farmer and made three big meals a day. She carried “dinner” and “supper”, plus afternoon snacks to the fields every day the family was working, along with a car load of children. She was not a fan of camping and picnics because of cooking and carrying to the fields.
Her family will always remember her famous peanut butter fudge, iced sugar cookies, perfect pie crusts, potato salad, light rolls and noodles. Most of the time her cooking was without recipes.
She was also known for being on the John Deere lawnmower, anytime she wasn’t cooking. When the neighbors didn’t see her mowing, they would question if she was okay.
She was Robert’s right hand lady in their Crow’s Seed business. They enjoyed traveling on some trips they earned.
Gladys is survived by her husband: Robert; her children: Barbara (Stanley) Elwell, Bonnie (Buddy) Martin, Mark Wallingford, Brenda (Ruben) Leffler and Richard (Anna) Wallingford. She is also survived by fourteen grandchildren and twenty-seven great grandchildren, all of whom are her legacy.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a special aunt (who was like a mother); her twin sister: Lois Faye Tanner; Lois’ husband: George; father and mother-in-law: Wortha and Hattie Wallingford; sisters-in-laws; brother-in-laws, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
A private family memorial service will be held Saturday, September 17, 2022, at the Anson Community Church in Anson, Missouri.
Burial will be at a later date at the Anson Cemetery.
A memorial has been established in her memory and can be mailed to the family at: Schmitz Funeral Home, P.O. Box 22, Donnellson, Iowa 52625.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com Schmitz Funeral Home of Donnellson is assisting the family with arrangements.
