Obituary for Gladys Pearline Guisinger

Gladys Pearline (McClure) Guisinger was born November 30, 1925. She was the only daughter of John and Faith (Hess) McClure and grew up in, and near, Casey, Iowa. She was one of the original “Casey girls”.

 She met, and eventually married, Ross David Guisinger on August 29, 1948, after his return from military duty in World War II.  They began their married life in an apartment in Casey, IA.  They eventually made their permanent home in Menlo since 1968.

After high school, Gladys entered a teaching program at Simpson College and became the teacher at a country school near Casey.  She also worked for the bank in Menlo. But her main focus in life was raising her kids and setting an impeccable example of what it is to be loving and nurturing to her family, while also being a contributing member to society. She was an invaluable member of the United Methodist Church and the American Legion Auxiliary.

By 1965, Ross and Gladys had five boys and two girls, but their family continued to grow as each child branched out, married, and had children of their own.  Once her children were older, she began employment with American Republic Insurance Company in Des Moines, where she worked for 10 years before retiring at age 65.

Although she was never “money rich”, she would be the first to boast about her riches in life: her beautiful home and family—she was blessed by God that her kids all stayed within 20 miles of home, raising their families and dropping in for a visit several times a week. She loved that they all felt a strong connection and made her house “Grand Central Station”.

Gladys was a blessing to this world and to everyone who knew her. She will always be remembered for her selfless love to her family and community, as well as her sensibility and quick wit.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Faith; her husband, Ross; two of her brothers, Irvin and Oliver; her sons, Larry and Daniel; her daughter, Linda; and her grandson, Jason. She is survived by her brother: Russell; her children: Larry’s wife, Shirley, - Dan’s wife, Donette, - Gary and Rita, - Rick and Sally, - David and Mary Ann, - Linda’s husband, Leonard (Bud) Sudbrock, - Kim and Marvin Christensen; she also leaves her grandchildren: Julie – Ryan, – Kendra, – Erica – Bets, - Kevin – Kory, – William (Bill) – Robert (Bob), – Nichole – Rachael; her great grandchildren: Payton – Ty, - Rylie, - Alexa, - Maddie - Shae – Trevone – Ashlynne, - C.J, - Brooks - Kaylee, - Kyle – Kaden – Kinley, - Caydn, - Waylon, - Aubrey - Sophia – Talon - Vaughn; and her great-great grandchildren: Milo, - Briella – Waylon - Teagan; as well as, SO MANY other family and friends that are too numerous to list.

"Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever."