Gladys Carlson

Gladys J. Carlson, 93, of Rock Island, passed away Friday, January 17, 2020, at Silver Cross Health and Rehabilitation, Rock Island.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, January 25, 2020, at Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, Rock Island.  Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Friday, at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., Moline.  Burial will be at the Coal Valley Cemetery.  Memorials may be made to Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church.

Gladys was born on January 17, 1927, in Bayard, Nebraska, the daughter of Leroy S. and Dorothy J. (Soady) Clure.  She married Bert Carlson on November 12, 1950, in Rock Island County and he preceded her in death on October 24, 2016.  Gladys worked as a secretary at International Harvester in East Moline for 15 years, retiring in 1962.  She was a very active member of Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church where she served as a deacon, treasurer, session member, and was involved with the Women’s United Group.  She also received the Church Women United Valiant Woman Award in 2014.  Gladys was a former PTA president at Horace Mann School, a member of Chapter LC, Rock Island of P.E.O., and former Davenport Women of the Moose Club.  She loved being outdoors tending to her yard and garden.  She also enjoyed cooking, reading, dancing and sewing for her family.

Survivors include her daughters and sons-in-law, Jane & Todd Vandersnick, Geneseo and Julie & Bruce Romero, Rock Island; grandchildren, Orterio “Terry” (Carolyn) Villa, Scott (fiancé Ann) Villa, Jeremy Romero, Bethany (Idris) Okere, Caitlin Vandersnick; great grandchild, Maya Okere; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter, Karen Lynn Carlson, sister, Roberta Ekelin, and brothers, John and Frank Clure.

Memories may be shared on the tribute wall.