Gladys Clark

Born May 1, 1916 in Wagner, South Dakota, Gladys Clark, resident of Sequoia Springs, passed from this world on September 17, 2010 at Redwood Memorial Hospital. With five brothers and one sister, Gladys was no stranger to hard times and hard work. She began her nursing career immediately after high school, graduating from Dakota Wesleyan University's Methodist State Hospital in 1938. But with her diploma and license in hand there were no jobs on the home front. Upon word that there was work "out west", she took the leap. She bought a steamer trunk, packed her things and boarded the train for American Falls, Idaho. Wearing the typical starched white uniform, white hose, white cap and immaculate, shiny white shoes, she began her nursing career. She met and married Steve Clark in American Falls. By 1955 the work scene in Idaho had not improved. So once again the family moved, this time to California. Gladys almost immediately went to work at the old Scotia Hospital and a few months later at the new Redwood Memorial Hospital. After twelve years in Fortuna the Clarks moved to Arizona where Gladys also pursued her nursing career and saved, repaired, dressed and collected china dolls. After retiring back to Fortuna, she did volunteer work delivering meals to seniors and shut-ins for several years. Steve and Gladys were married for sixty-four years. Gladys moved to Sequoia Springs in July of 2003 and enjoyed the assistance, support and friendship of the staff and residents there. Gladys was preceded in death by her beloved husband Steve, five brothers and a sister. She is survived by her daughters, Judy Santsche, her husband Rudy, Jean Stephens, her husband Bill: grand children, Kipp & Bobby Bertelsen, Tina Conti, Rick and Dirk de Hoop, Stephanie Diver: great grand children Megan, Michael, Matthew & Missie Mae Bertelsen, Kylie & Travis Conti, Hannah, Sarah & Henry de Hoop, Shyla Rae & Judson de Hoop, Kobus & Kaitlin Diver. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Seventh Day Adventist Church's Depression Recovery Program at 2301 Rohnerville Rd., Fortuna, CA 95540, or a favorite charity. A memorial service will be held at Sequoia Springs at 2401 Redwood Way in Fortuna on Friday, September 24 at 4:00 pm. Please sign the guest book at www.Times-Standard.com, click Obits.