Obituary: Gilman, Gladys Leona
Age 102
She was born on the Houston ranch north of Creston, WA on November 14, 1912.
Her parents were Carl and Lois Houston.
Her education included attending a one-room school for two years before attending Creston Elementary and graduating from Creston High School as Valedictorian in 1930.
She attended Spokane University and Cheney Normal School (now Eastern Washington University), receiving a Lifetime Teaching Certificate.
She later graduated from Whitworth College.
Gladys taught school for twenty years including Newport, Colfax, and Valley, WA.
She married Edward Gilman on February 5, 1937.
They had been classmates at Creston and in college.
They lived at Everett, WA where Ed taught school, Creston where they farmed the Houston ranch and Valley, WA where they farmed and both taught school.
She had many interests including music, sports and church work.
Gladys enjoyed her family and friends and organized events so all could visit and keep in touch with one another throughout her lifetime.
She especially loved the time she spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Upon retirement Ed and Gladys moved to Spokane and were involved as volunteers for Meals on Wheels, Spokane Fish Organization, and the Manito Methodist Church.
They continued to spend summers at their property at Valley for several years.
In 1989 they moved to Rockwood Manor Retirement Center.
Gladys was involved in many activities including church work, Bible study, helping with the corner store and library, attending exercise and educational classes, and attending many sports events in the Spokane area.
Gladys is survived by her daughter Janice Cox of Valley, WA; son James (Diane) of Meridian, ID; daughter-in-law Susan Gilman Stern (Jim) of Spokane; nine grandchildren, Brian Cox (Shannon), Portland, OR, Tanya Marsh (Darren), Spokane Valley, WA, Alisen Patrick (Ken) Esterhazy, SK, Canada, Jason Gilman (Mary), Mead, WA, Micah Gilman (Carolyn), Olympia, WA, Kristen Jung (Paul), Chandler, AZ, Mike Reitcheck (Shelli), Crystal Lake, IL, Steve Reitcheck (Michaela), Boise, ID, Julia Smock (Steve), Boise, ID; and fourteen great-grandchildren: Kailin Patrick; Eawyn, Houston, Nathan, and Siena Gilman; Emma and Maggie Gilman; Zoe Cox; Melissa and Michael Reitcheck; Charles and Alexander Reitcheck; Avery and Margaret Smock.
Gladys had several nieces and nephews.
Gladys was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Edward in 2003, sons Rodney and Wayne Gilman, granddaughter, Karen Gilman and son-in-law Earl Cox.
A Memorial Service will be held at Rockwood Manor, 2903 East 25th Avenue, Spokane, WA at a later date.
The family asks that donations be made to an organization of the donor’s choice in lieu of flowers.