Gladys Bode

Gladys Escelda Bode, 95, died in Fort Collins, Colorado, on July 16, 2015. She was a long-time resident of the Burns, Wyoming, area. Gladys was born on May 4, 1920, in Burns, Wyoming, to Chester and Evelyn Fuller. She grew up on the homestead farm owned by her grandfather, George Fuller, which was located eight miles northeast of Burns. Gladys attended the Golden Prairie and Bluff View country schools before attending high school in Burns, where she graduated as Salutatorian of her class. After high school graduation, she went to Grand Island Business School in Nebraska. After graduation, she returned and obtained a secretarial position in the State Department of Education at the Wyoming State Capital. Gladys married her high school sweetheart, Bernard Bode, at the home of her parents on May 4, 1941. They bought a farm in 1945 northwest of Burns, where they brought up their four children and employed several of their nephews and grandsons. They acquired additional land originally owned by their parents and raised primarily wheat and cattle for over 30 years. For many of these years, they also had sheep, hogs, chickens, and milk cows. They survived the infamous 1949 blizzard and many other natural and economic events. In 1956, Gladys began working at the Farmers State Bank in Burns and later also worked at the Burns School and the Burns Farmers Co-Op. Gladys' husband, Bernard, passed away in June 1978 after a long bout with cancer. After a farm sale in March 1981, she moved to Burns and continued to work at the Burns Farmers Co-op. In May 1985, she retired from the Co-Op, but worked a few hours a week at Phillips Auto Repair to keep books for her brother-in-law. She continued in this capacity for about ten years until the shop closed. In June of 2007, Gladys moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, to be closer to family. Gladys was an active member of the community while living in the Burns area. She was a member of the Pleasant View Methodist Church most of her life, a 50-year member of the Prairie Pioneers Extension Club, a Republican precinct committee woman, a 4-H Leader, a member of the Farm Bureau, several town advisory boards, and the Presbyterian Ladies Aid. After she retired in 1985, Gladys went on numerous trips, visiting all but two states in the U.S. She also visited Germany, Switzerland, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. She enjoyed gardening, needlework, crochet, and playing cards with her friends. She also enjoyed visiting her children and their families, her sister, and other relatives. Family was very important to her and she hosted many family dinners. Gladys was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bernard; her sister, Dorothy Estabrook; and many other dear relatives and friends. She is survived by her four children and their spouses, Pat Henderson (Don) of Monte Vista, CO, Douglas Bode (Connie) of Fuquay Varina, NC, Dennis Bode (Ellen) of Fort Collins, CO, and Nancy Schoel (Al) of Star Valley Ranch, WY. She is also survived by her eight grandsons, James Swartz, Robert Swartz, Kevin Bode, Duane Bode, Brent Bode, Daniel Bode, Brian Bode, and Christopher Bastian; numerous great-grandchildren; and several nephews and nieces. A celebration of life service and reception will be held later at the Presbyterian Church in Burns, Wyoming, at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 17, 2015. Memorial contributions may be made to the Burns Ambulance Fund, c/o Town of Burns, P.O. Box 66, Burns, WY 82053. Please visit www.schradercares.com to view Gladys' online obituary, sign the family guestbook and send condolences.

Service

Monday, August 17, 2015 11:00am

Burns Presbyterian Church

Burns

BURNS, WY 82053

Interment

Cheyenne Memorial Gardens

Highway 30

CHEYENNE, WY 82009

A private interment service will be held by the family.