Gladys Bastow, 95, passed away Tuesday, December 11, 2018 in Des Moines, Iowa. Honoring her wishes, there will be a family memorial service at a later date.
Gladys was born on a farm near Osceola, Iowa, on April 16, 1923, to Robert and Maude Baysinger. She was the youngest of three children. The family moved to Ridgeway, Mo., in 1928, and later to a farm near Mt. Moriah.
Gladys was teaching in country school during WWII when she met and married Clifford Whitaker. After Clifford was discharged from the US Navy, he and Gladys bought a piece of land in Fox Creek Township, where they started a successful dairy farm and where their three children: John, Suzanne and Rita were born.
In 1974, Gladys formed and operated a tour business, Top-Notch-Tours. She traveled all over the US, Mexico, Canada and Europe, where she met many life-long friends.
In 1982, Clifford passed away after a battle with cancer. Gladys later married Robert Bastow of Mt. Ayr, Iowa. The couple enjoyed touring and winters in Texas, playing shuffleboard, cards and dancing. They especially loved when family could come down to visit. After Robert’s death in 1997, Gladys moved to Jefferson, Iowa.
Gladys enjoyed her garden, sewing, cooking, reading, walking and playing cards. She will be remembered for her kindness, stubbornness and her wonderful stories and jokes.
Gladys is survived by her three children: John (Joyce) Whitaker of Albany, Mo., Rita (Dale) Tidwell of Wiggins, Colo. and Suzanne (husband Don, deceased) Sievers of Jefferson; a step-daughter, Mary Sue Webb; step-son, Keith Bastow; six grandchildren; five step-grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Gladys was preceded in death by her parents; her two husbands; two sisters; a son-in-law and three nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Jefferson Public Library.
The family was assisted by Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home, Jefferson, Iowa.