Gladys Lucretia (Shipley) Woofter, of Hoxie, Kansas, passed away on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at the Sheridan County Long Term Care. She was born on March 22, 1930, at the family home in rural Sheridan County to Raymond and Ella (Walden) Shipley. Gladys was one of five children and grew up on the family farm with her siblings, where they learned the value of hard work
Gladys attended and graduated from Hoxie High School. On November 29, 1949, she married Dale Woofter in Hoxie, Kansas. When they lived on the farm north of Colby she milked cows, a task that gave her a grip she loved to demonstrate until the end of her life. Dale worked in the oil fields, and their life together took them to several locations before settling in Hoxie in the late 1970s. Hoxie became the place where Gladys felt most at home.
A lifelong homemaker, Gladys was known for her love of cooking and for making the most out of any meal. This skill, passed down by her beloved mother, was a gift she shared with family and friends. She always made sure there was something to eat for anyone who stopped by for a visit. Her home was always filled with the laughter of family, and her children have vivid memories of the time spent together, especially the memorable visits to Aunt Freda's to dress chickens. Gladys, her sisters, and sisters-in-law were in their element during those times, and the kids were tasked with plucking the chickens—a task they would never forget, especially the smell of singed chicken feathers.
Gladys and Dale were active members of AA and Alanon meetings for many years. She valued family more than anything else and loved her children and grandchildren deeply, even when the challenges of life made it difficult at times.
Gladys is survived by her children: Jay (Susan), Mike (Jennifer), Alan (Janeece), Walt (Eileen), and Sharon Lanning; son-in-law, Dennis Shoff; daughter-in-law, Lee Woofter; sister-in-law, Della Jean Shipley; 25 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; and 7 great-great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Ella Shipley; her husband, Dale Woofter; her daughter, Sherida Shoff; her son, Carl Woofter; her granddaughter, Hannah Woofter; her daughter-in-law, Donna Jo Woofter; sisters Freda Shafer and Margie Minium; brothers Gerald Shipley and Ross Shipley; brothers-in-law Howard Transue, Howard Shafer, Bill Minium, Duane Woofter, and Glenn Woofter; and sisters-in-law Maxine Shipley, Leah Shipley, and Ethel Jean Woofter.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at the Hoxie Christian Church with Pastor Carl Dumler presiding. Visitation will take place on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home in Hoxie, Kansas.