Gladys M. Gibbins, 87, Bismarck, died Nov. 2, 2021, at Sunset Prospera, Mandan, where she lived since December 2020.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10 at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Pkwy, Bismarck, with Rev. Randy Upgren presiding.
Burial will be held at 2:00 pm at North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. The family is hosting lunch immediately following the service and prior to the internment on site at Parkway Funeral Service.
Parkway Funeral Service will also host a prayer service on Tuesday, Nov. 9 from 5 to 6 p.m. Visitation following until 7 p.m.
Gladys Mae Barton was born in Wildrose, ND, and was raised in the Ray, ND, community. She was indeed a small-town girl. She met the love of her life, Victor H. Gibbins, at the age of 18 and they were married on her 19th birthday. Their married life took them from Williston to Minot and then on to Bismarck in 1968, where they established lasting roots on Meredith Drive. Their home was always a buzz of children, friends, grandchildren, and neighbors. All were welcome.
Gladys worked at CHI St. Alexius in the Medical Records department for 39 years, she retired at 72 and in all that time, she took one sick day. She was strong, steady, and faithful.
She loved being entertained. Theater, Hostfest, WE fest, musicals, and basketball tournaments. She enjoyed sports of every kind and famously received a call from Abe Winter, the local sportscaster, after beating him out in the Pick the Pro’s final. She was a hard-core Minnesota Twins fan and shared her great love of sports with her children till her final days.
Nothing delighted her more than entertaining her family. She loved cooking and food was her love language. If you loved it, she couldn’t wait to make it for you, and tell everyone it was your favorite. She delighted in sitting quietly in her chair in the living room, just listening, while her family sat around the kitchen table playing games and laughing. For Gladys, having everyone together in her home was Joy.
The entire family would like to thank Rebecca Johnson, Jerry Ratcliff, Hannah Lowry, Kelly Matthews, Barb Pfeifer, Maureen Wanner, and all the other caregivers who provided our mother, comfort, companionship, safety, and friendship when we could not. You made her years without Dad so much better, and we appreciate you.
Gladys is survived by her children, Darcy (Linda), Danell (Grant), Darren, and Dawn (Bob); grandchildren, Adam (Caitlyn), Matthew, Paul (Spencer), Tessa (John), and Andrew (Lindsay); along with 6 great-grandchildren, Kenidee, Gunther, Kai, Quinn, Henry, and Molly.
She was preceded in death by both sets of parents, her brother and sisters, her husband of 63 years, and so many friends. We are encouraged knowing they were there to welcome her home.
In Lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Veterans organizations who support those who honor our country and protect us all.
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