Gladys Calhoun

Gladys May (Jones) Calhoun, of Ankeny, passed away peacefully on April 25, 2025, at Sunny View Care Center.
Gladys was born on December 23, 1941, in Akron, Ohio, the only child of Howard and Irene (Harris) Jones. Life handed her challenges early - her parents' divorce and the passing of her mother when she was just 14 - but Gladys met them with grace, resilience and an unwavering commitment to family that would define her life.
A 1959 graduate of Akron North High School, Gladys was an involved student. She played French horn in the band, served on the student council, was inducted into the National Honor Society and was crowned a member of the Homecoming Court. She was head majorette, participated in numerous clubs, and balanced it all with part-time jobs in the school office, other office jobs and babysitting. Her high school yearbook captured her spirit with the phrase: "Fair faces need no paint."
Following graduation, Gladys was hired into the training program at the home office of Firestone Tire & Rubber Company and was then assigned to the Public Relations Office (Racing Division). In that position, she worked at the PGA Championship held at the Firestone Country Club in Akron, where she saw Arnold Palmer play.
She transferred to Firestone's Des Moines plant after marrying Ed, where she worked as a switchboard operator and was fielding calls the day JFK was assassinated. She then became the private secretary of the Comptroller and worked there until she was 6 months pregnant with her first daughter (when the company made pregnant women stop working at 6 months).
Gladys was a stay-at-home mom until her youngest child was in kindergarten, returning to work as a part-time secretary at the United Church of Christ. She started full-time employment again in 1980 when she was hired as a secretary in the executive offices of DMACC. She worked at DMACC-Ankeny until her retirement on July 1, 2004. We celebrated around a handmade maypole, a retirement party she envisioned.
The beginning of Gladys and Ed Calhoun's love story should be a movie. Gladys "met" Ed Calhoun when her nephew was in the Navy on the same ship as her future husband. She would send her nephew care packages, which Ed thought made her someone he'd like to meet. Ultimately, they exchanged many love letters, even "fighting" in them, she shared when you got her to reminisce. After meeting in person for the first time in Rhode Island, they wed on August 31, 1963, and moved to Iowa. They were married for 56 years before Ed passed in 2020.
In 1965, Ed and Gladys purchased their home in Ankeny, where they raised three children.
Gladys was recently asked about her most significant accomplishment, and she said, "My kids and grandkids." She was a dedicated mother who put the needs of others above her own. She made birthdays and holidays magical with her tireless prep. In the busy years when she and Ed had to divide and conquer, she ensured each kid felt loved, appreciated and supported at their activities by managing the family's hectic calendar.
Gladys planned epic family vacations without the benefit of Google, had childlike delight in natural wonders like mountains and oceans, modeled the importance of staying connected to extended family, and made many handmade gifts for friends and family through the years. She was always a bit "extra" in the best of ways, loving the "twinkle" lights in the family van, Christmas bells, taking tons of photographs of her kids, friends and their dates before dances, and being authentically Gladys.
Through the years, Gladys enjoyed being a part of the CB club, riding with Ed on the motorcycle, playing co-ed volleyball, dancing with Ed (even disco) and vacationing. She was a member of The Manhattan Club, Red Hat Society and DMACC's Pioneers retirement club and loved Bingo day at The Suites.
Gladys is survived by her daughters, Sue (Todd) Schlenker and Teri Vannoy; son, Eric (Cristy) Calhoun; grandchildren, Cailey (Dalton) Dolash; Cole (Tracie) Schlenker; Wiley and Brody Vannoy; Ryan, Caleb and Megan Calhoun; and a great-granddaughter on the way; several nieces and nephews; and other extended family and dear friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Ed; her parents, Howard and Irene Jones; half-sister, Marion Kern; half-brothers Howard Jones, Harold Jones, Benjamin Kidd and Robert Kidd.
The family extends its deepest appreciation to the staff of The Suites of Ankeny, Sunny View Care Center and EveryStep Hospice for their love and compassionate care.
A gathering of family and friends to celebrate Gladys's life will be held May 22, 2025, from 5–7 p.m., at Memorial Services of Iowa (4208 N. Ankeny Blvd, Ankeny, IA).
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa.