Gilbert Norris Glad

Gilbert Norris Glad went Home to be with the Lord on the morning of May 10, 2017, after a short struggle with heart disease. Born May 31, 1927 near Arborville, Nebraska, to Edwin and Esther (Gustafson) Glad, he had recently moved with his wife Dorothy to Boone, Iowa and was looking forward to celebrating his 90th birthday with family later this month.

After graduating from high school in Polk, Nebraska, he earned his B.S. and M.E. at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. While earning his degrees, he taught in several rural schools in Nebraska before becoming the elementary school principal in Stromsburg, Nebraska. In 1956 he moved to Colorado and began his teaching career as a principal in Aurora, Colorado. While there he met and married Dorothy Wolf in 1959. After a 21 year career as a principal in Colorado, they moved to Nebraska where he helped launch the Nebraska Christian Elementary School in Central City. After retiring from teaching full time, he faithfully dedicated his service to Nebraska Christian Schools for a total of 39 years until moving to Iowa this past Fall.

Gilbert was a kind, loving and faithful husband and father. He loved traveling with his family, and spending the summers with his family out on the farm in Polk, Nebraska. After his family, his next greatest enjoyment came from playing the organ; at church, county fairs and even a Wendy’s restaurant in Grand Island. He reluctantly gave up his last career of playing 6 days a week over the lunch hour for fast food diners, in order to move to Westhaven Retirement Community in Boone, Iowa, where he occasionally got to entertain residents with his organ music.

He loved the Lord Jesus Christ with all his heart and faithfully served Him in several capacities including the Gideons International. One of his favorite verses was Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; sons, John (Carol) of West Des Moines, Iowa, James (Jenny) of Swisher, Iowa, Joel (Tomoko) of Park Ridge, Illinois; 7 beloved grandchildren; along with nieces and nephews.

Gilbert was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Grace; and brother, Gordon.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, May 29, 2017 at Heartland Evangelical Free Church, 1620 19th Street, Central City, NE 68826.

Memorials may be sent to Heartland Evangelical Free Church, 1620 19th Street, Central City, NE 68826; Nebraska Christian Schools, 1847 Inskip Ave, Central City, NE 68826; or The Gideons International, P.O. Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-0800.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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