Obituary

Gladys Elizabeth Currey, daughter of Ira W. and Fern Currey was born June 8, 1922, in Belvidere, Nebraska at her family home in Thayer County. Gladys was the 3rd daughter in her family, the last of 5 children, which also included 2 brothers. Gladys “walked” into glory with Jesus on September 15, 2023, at her home in Acme, Washington, at the age of 101 years, 3 months, and 7 days.

Gladys grew up on a farm in Belvidere, Nebraska raising crops of corn and milo and learned to drive a tractor at an early age. She attended school in Belvidere, a dream come true… reading, studying, asking questions, writing, always learning!

While in school Gladys had many interests—she sang in a Ladies Sextette; a member of the drama class, writing scripts and also acting; Pep and Glee Club; participated in sports; she loved to write poetry, sharing it with classmates and family. Everyone was her “best friend” even the boys in her class of 19 students. Her nickname was “Happy!”Following graduation Gladys became a teacher and taught in a one-room school house for three years… she was everyone’s favorite teacher.

Gladys was also very involved in her church: teaching a girls Sunday School class ages 8-12; helping in Vacation Bible School; writing and directing a play-lette for the annual church conference gathering; an earnest member of the Young Peoples class with Reverend Wingate.

With WW11 in progress, Gladys and 3 girlfriends left Nebraska and traveled to Santa Anna Air Base in California and worked as young payroll clerks in the Red Cross organization. As the war ended, soldiers began returning state-side to Santa Anna Air Base in California. Gladys met Roy Johnson on a horseback ride organized by the Red Cross. Gladys captured Roy’s attention and heart immediately. They were married on August 25, 1946, in Belvidere, Nebraska.

Gladys left her home of corn huskers, tractors, and family farmers and followed her husband to make their home in Acme, Washington, becoming a logger’s wife and learning about bulldozer CATS, logging trucks, timber and long work hours in the woods. Gladys was invited to join the Acme – Women’s Christian Temperance Union. She was the youngest member and deeply loved by these older women… a gift she cherished having mentors who taught her so many life lessons as a logger’s wife.

Gladys and Roy had 3 children that completed their family: Gary Julius born in 1947; Galen Roy born in 1949; Nancy Fern born in 1951. Gladys and Roy joined the Mission Covenant Church in Bellingham in 1952, where her in-laws Julius and Emme Johnson were members. Gladys quickly became involved: teaching a class of girls in Sunday school; Pioneer Girls and Trail Blazers; Young People’s group alongside of her husband Roy; Covenant Women’s Hospitality; sewing and sending baby flannel diapers for missionaries; picking up and housing missionaries on short furloughs; opening their home to 2 foster young men short term; and enjoying their Senior Couples Home Bible Study Group which stayed together for over 30 years.

Gladys was immensely involved with all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren!!! Each one was the JOY of her life! She was always so happy to welcome each one into her home and was always prepared with food to eat and games to play and singing hymns together out of the hymnals. When it was time to leave, she would always say “I Love You The MOSTEST!” Her phrase will live on in all of our hearts!!!

Gladys has the honor of being the oldest long-life member of the Bellingham Covenant Church. Gladys’s long-life journey was one of fervent prayer, sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ, and loving people in hospitality alongside Roy in their home in Acme. To God be the glory!

Gladys was preceded in death by her husband Roy Johnson; her parents Ira W. and Fern Currey; her sisters Margaret and Bessie and brothers Myron and Clinton.

Gladys is survived by her children Gary and Joi Johnson of Idaho, Galen Johnson of Acme, and Nancy and Steve Felmley of Everson. Gladys was blessed with 9 grandchildren: Stephanie (Matt) Hardin, Monica Felmley, Kyle (Karen) Felmley; Stacy (Gary) Nims, Tina (Scott) Hay, Jennifer (Jason) Lambrecht; Richard Johnson, Robert Johnson, David Johnson. Gladys continued to be blessed by 32 great-grandchildren Eliza, Bjorn, Ava Hardin; Xavier Felmley; Marcus, Ingrid, Mason, Gunnar, Hudson, Derek, Luke, Weston, Jocelyn, Silas, Travis, Dane Felmley; Laura, Caleb, Lydia, Joshua Nims; Christian, Jordan, Jeshua, Josiah Hay; Elijah, Isaiah, Micah, Jeremiah Lambrecht; Jonathan and Jacob Johnson; Brandon and Taylor Johnson.

Memorial gifts may be given to Craig and Karen Hamlow, Arctic Barnabas Ministries, 48510 Jones Road, Soldotna, AK 99669 www.arcticbarnabas.org