Obituary of Gladys M. Sweet

Gladys M. Sweet, 82, of Solon, died Thursday, December 11, 2008, at the Solon Nursing Care Center. A memorial service will be held at a later date (tentatively next spring). Memorial donations can be made in Gladys’s memory to Our Lords Church, Solon United Methodist Church, Solon Nursing Care Center, Amenity Hospice, or the charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be sent for her family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Gladys Mary Karel was born July 31, 1926, in Solon, Iowa, the daughter of Frank and Delia (Reif) Karel. She graduated from Solon High School in 1943, and married Kenneth Sweet on September 28, 1946, in Iowa City. Gladys lived most of her life in the Solon area, with the exception of a short time in Iowa City. During the sixties, Gladys was employed at the Holiday House in Mt. Vernon, and from 1962-1968, she and “Kenny” owned and operated “Kenny’s Shell” gas station in Solon. Later, Gladys was employed at Seiler’s in Solon as a waitress, and as a supervisor at ACT from the early 70s until the early 80s. She was then employed at NCS until retiring in 1995. Gladys later returned to work for Barta Insurance in Solon until 2001 when her health declined. Gladys was active in her church, the school, and the community. She was a longtime member of the United Methodist Church in Solon, where she had served as Sunday school superintendent, and was a member of UMW; she was also a member of Our Lords Church in Solon. She was a past president of the PTA, and was a member of the Rebekah Lodge. Gladys was active in the Solon American Legion Auxiliary, where she held numerous local and state offices. She was proud to have been one of the founders of the Avenue of Flags for the Oakland Cemetery in Solon. Her family includes three daughters, Linda Evenden (John) of Granite City, IL, Bev Sweet (Tom Lemke) of Solon, and Paula Ludwig (John) of Solon; two grandchildren, Kimberly Allen and Jason Evenden; and her beloved dog, Max. She was preceded in death by her parents, and by her husband Kenny in 1980. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Gladys’s family and her services.