Gladys Woods, 85, passed away in the early morning hours of March 4, 2024, peacefully in her sleep. Gladys Ann Finkbeiner was born December 19th, 1938, in Dodge City Kansas to Arthur and Ellnor Finkbeiner. The Finkbeiner family moved to Wilson Kansas in 1940 and then to Gaylord Kansas, where Gladys attended High School. The Finkbeiner family moved to Rush Center Kansas in 1954, then in 1957 moved to Smith Center Kansas. Gladys married Harry Woods on October 15th,1961 at the American Lutheran Church of Smith Center Kansas. They were blessed with two children, Gary Lee and Curtis James as well as two grandchildren Marcus Tyler and Camryn Marie Gladys.
Anyone whomever met Gladys realized right away how she had the capacity in her heart to love someone so deeply. There were really no strangers to her, and she would welcome these individuals into her life with open arms. She always valued family, relatives, and friends and would pour her heart into her community in any way possible. Gladys was a friendly face who made sure she checked up on her friends and family. From singing “Happy Birthday” over the phone, calling to let them know the scores of the local high school games, and to remind folks of upcoming events, she ensured you were always in the loop.
Gladys was the ultimate day care. She provided this service for multiple generations of families and relatives in the community. She had a way with kids, and she could even get several two- to three-year-olds to all take a nap at the same time. They would even come back when they were older too.
Additionally, she enjoyed singing in the church choir and would always participate in the local North Central Kansas Choir and any other local singing events. She enjoyed playing the piano as well, especially during the holidays and songs from the Church Hymnal.
If you came to visit Gladys, you needed to be ready to play games, she was certainly a “true gamer”. She played anything from dominoes, marbles, card games, even Go Fish and Crazy Eights. She enjoyed playing weekly Bingo and could not wait to yell it out when she got a Bingo. She even enjoyed playing putt-putt golf during visits to see family and was super competitive. Gladys also enjoyed baking. She will be fondly remembered for her “Gladys Cookies” as they came to be known and they were always in demand during the holidays season.
Gladys was quite an adventurer. She and Harry enjoyed bus trips to Branson Missouri and would go whenever they could. Even after Harry passed, she kept that tradition alive. She was undoubtfully proud of her grandkids; she would travel any distance to visit and support them in their activities/ events in High School and College. She was able to visit Oklahoma, Arkansas, New Mexico, California and Las Vegas. One of her favorite places to visit in California was Disneyland.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Harry Woods, son Curtis Woods, sister Betty Jacobs and brother Allen Finkbeiner. She is survived by her son, Gary Woods and wife Debra Woods of Corona Ca, two Grandkids, Marcus Garrett and wife Melany of Oakley Ca and Camryn Woods of Coron Ca. Sister, Elaine Eller of Lindsborg, Ks and numerous nieces and nephews, sister-in-law and all their families.
She will be greatly missed.