Gladys D. Bethke Lewis

Gladys Dorothy (Bethke) Lewis, age 91, passed away peacefully on July 10, 2017 with her daughter and son-in-law by her side. She resided at High Gate Senior Living, Prescott, Arizona where her care partner-angels lovingly treated her like a favorite grandmom.   Gladys was a Texan through and through. She was born to Walter and Amalie Bethke in Walburg, Texas, the third of six children.  When Gladys was 13, the family moved to Austin where she graduated from Austin Senior High School.  She was particularly proud of her position on the City Softball Team. While attending high school, she accepted a blind date with a drop-dead-gorgeous guy, who was a Sergeant in the Army Air Corp, stationed at Bergstrom Air Base. Love blossomed and beautiful Gladys married handsome Robert (Bob) K. Lewis, a Kent State graduate.  After Bob finished his tour of duty they moved to Akron, Ohio, his home town.  Gladys worked at the telephone company while Bob worked full-time and attended Akron Law School.  Bob's long-time goal was attained when he was accepted into the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). During his FBI career, they lived in Gadsden and Birmingham, Alabama, Washington DC, Miami, North Miami Beach and Atlanta. During those years, Gladys worked in secretarial positions in elementary and secondary schools.  After Bob's first retirement they moved to Tamarac, Florida where she was a Savings Counselor with Glendale Federal Bank. Gladys was very sociable and a friend to all. She and Bob loved to play bridge and throw parties. Over the years, she volunteered with the Girl Scouts, Meals on Wheels, Lutheran Women's Missionary League and hospitals in both South and Central Florida. She was active in several Lutheran churches: Zion (Walburg, Texas), Holy Cross (North Miami, Florida), Our Savior (Plantation, Florida), Trinity (Summerfield, Florida) and Amazing Grace (Oxford, Florida).  She enjoyed camping throughout the United States and loved to travel, especially to Switzerland and particularly to Las Vegas where she was quite lucky at slots!   On the brink of their fiftieth wedding anniversary, Bob passed away. Gladys' inner fortitude really kicked in and her true strength was an inspiration to all. In 2005, she moved away from her friends and family to a Del Webb retirement area in Central Florida.  Initially not knowing anyone, she soon thrived with the love of new friends in her neighborhood and at her church. Gladys is preceded in death by her granddaughter Wendy Lynn and siblings Edna Steglich, Bernice Britton, Monroe Bethke, and James Bethke. She is survived by sister LaNell Dube (Luther).  Gladys is survived by her two children:  Susan Friedman (Scott) and Mark Lewis (Sherry), three granddaughters: Kari Graham (Don), Shannon Wanless (Ryan), and Kristin Chiaverini (Mike), plus four great-grandchildren: Mikayla, Reilly, Lochlan and Zoey. In Arizona, a Celebration of Life will be held at High Gate Senior Living on September 30, 2017. A Celebration was held in Texas the weekend after “Aunt Gladys” passed into Glory. Family members sang her favorite songs: How Great Thou Art, Amazing Grace, along with an enthusiastic rendition of The Yellow Rose of Texas.  Information for the Florida Celebration is pending.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the "Walk To End Alzheimer's Disease --High Gate Senior Living - Gladys Lewis".