Gladys D. Wilkie

KANAWHA - Gladys D. Wilkie, 100, of Kanawha, passed away Tuesday (Nov. 22, 2005) at the Kanawha Community Home in Kanawha.

Memorial services for Gladys Wilkie will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the United Methodist Church in Kanawha with the Rev. Cynthia Morrison officiating. Burial will be in Amsterdam Township Cemetery near Kanawha.

Gladys Delight Enabnit Wilkie, the daughter of Christ and Anna Mayer Enabnit, was born April 29, 1905, in Meservey.

Gladys married D.L. Wilkie Sr. on Sept. 27, 1924, at the home of her parents in Des Moines. The young couple lived in Des Moines where Luck managed the Red Ball Grocery Store until 1926, when they moved to Manly, Iowa. They were co-owners of Enabnit-Wilkie Grocery and Dry goods Store until December 1936, when they purchased the grocery store in Kanawha, which Gladys ran alongside her husband. She retired after 62 years in the grocery business.

All while Gladys was working she was deeply involved with her family, her church and her community. Early on, she became a founding member of the American Legion, sold war bonds during World War II, and spearheaded the campaign to get Kanawha's band their first uniforms. She wrote news for more than 40 years for the newspapers in Kanawha, Britt, Belmond and Clarion.

She was involved in many activities and was willing to accept leadership positions in most. She was a member of Kanawha United Methodist Church, A.M. Bible Study, Sr. Bible Class, Sunday school, Administration Board, and Ecumenical Officer of Devotions.

She was also a member of ABC Club, lifetime member of Kanawha Women's Club, lifetime member of Order of Eastern Star, Past President Parley, Past President of American Legion Auxiliary, member of Netaker Temple Daughters of Nile, Merry Makers Club, life-time member of Hancock County Historical Society, Paradise Club (OES Past Matrons), Elm Club, bridge club and book club.

Gladys was a very giving person who had a kind word to say about everybody. She deeply valued her family, her church community, her community and her many friends. She loved to play cards, entertain friends, and write poetry and verses. One of her last efforts was to organize the ecumenical vespers program at the community home.

Gladys is survived by three children, Rose Eileen Hall of Dubuque, David Wilkie of Ventura and friend, Sally Pritchard, and Deloris Alderson of Idaho Falls, Idaho, seven grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Luck; and stillborn daughter, Mabel Anna.

Special thank you to the staff at the Kanawha Community Home for the wonderful care given to Gladys in her last year.

Ewing Dugger Funeral Home, 118 E. Second St. in Kanawha, is in charge of arrangements.

Ewing Dugger Funeral Home, (641) 762-3211.