Gladys Gloria Aldrich

Gladys Gloria Aldrich

May 10, 1921 - Aug. 15, 2013

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Gladys Gloria Aldrich passed away Thursday, Aug. 15, 2013, at her home in Willow Ridge, McCook, Nebraska. She was 92 years old.

Gladys was born May 10, 1921, at her parent's farm near Edison, Nebraska, to parents, Clyde and Lillian (Bishop) Fleharty. She attended school in Edison and graduated from Arapahoe High School in 1939. After graduation she immediately started teaching in several country schools. She attended Hastings College to complete the Nebraska college credits required for state teachers.

On May 27, 1945, she was united in marriage to Navy Ensign Ray E. Aldrich at a family member's farm near Oxford, Nebraska. After living in Biloxi, Mississippi, and Norfolk, Virginia, for Ray's Navy duty, they moved to Arapahoe, Nebraska. In 1956, they moved to McCook. Together they raised their two daughters, Sherry and Linda. Gladys was a member of the Methodist Church since 1931 where she was active in UMW, WSCS, and served on many committees. She was also a member of Federated Women's Club, a charter member of PEO Chapter GY, and Eastern Star. She was actively involved with the Community Hospital Auxiliary and High Plains Historical Society, as well as serving as a Girl Scout leader. Other interests included knitting, needlepoint, and working in her garden to produce beautiful flowers that she loved to enter in the Red Willow County Fair. She and Ray spent many years traveling around the country in their motor home and attending University of Nebraska football games.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Clyde and Lillian Fleharty; husband, Ray, on April 26, 2009; three sisters, Ilda, Esther and Madge; and granddaughter-in-law, Mary.

Survivors include her two daughters, Sherry and husband, Ron Wegener, of Sweet Home, Oregon and Linda and husband, Felipe Rodriquez, of Monument, Colorado; five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, Sheron (Dan) Farner of Mulino, Oregon, and their children, Michaela, Zach, Anna and Adon; Stephen Wegener of Falls Church, Virginia, and son Edwin; Renee Wegener of Eugene, Oregon; Sheila (Matt) Kessler of Eugene, Oregon, and their children, Finn and Maddie; Ashley (Rob) Shull of Scott AFB, Illinois, and their children, Kaylee, Hunter and Megan.

Memorials received by the family will be given to the Michael Stern Parkinson's Research Foundation and Shriner's Hospitals.

Visitation will be Monday, Aug.19, 2013, 1-8 p.m. at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home. Friends may go online at www.carpenterbreland.com to extend condolences.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2013, 10:30 a.m. at Memorial United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Doug Griger officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook is in charge of the arrangements.