Gladys Ellen Norton

Gladys Ellen Williams Norton was born September 17, 1930 on a farm south of Naponee, Nebraska to George and Minnie Williams. She was the youngest of three sisters. She attended school in Naponee and Franklin, Nebraska.
On July 4, 1948, she married the love of her life, Willard Norton, who she had known since she was only 13. They were blessed with two children; a son, Dennis and a daughter, Trudy. They lived on a farm near Holdredge, Nebraska.
In 1958 the family moved to Fort Collins, Colorado. Gladys worked for Poudre School District from 1961 to 1992. She always enjoyed her work as a cook and manager with the school district. Especially interacting with, serving and spoiling the kids through the lunch line.
After retiring from the school district, she and Willard enjoyed traveling all over the United States including Hawaii. After the traveling ended, she went to work at Steele's Market in the bakery for 6 years, and then in the bakery at Walmart for another 6 years. She loved being with and around people.
Gladys faced many challenges in her later years. She had lung and breast cancer. As always, she faced these challenges positively and with determination. She had a very outgoing personality and tried to be strong throughout.
She did enjoy her computer games. She made many new friends playing Facebook games of Farmville and Candy Crush.
Gladys' time with us ended on June 13, 2017. She is at peace now and has joined the love of her life, Willard, whom she missed so very much.
She is survived by her son, Dennis, (Barbara) and her daughter, Trudy Niesent and grandchildren, Chad Norton (Erin), Danielle Niesent, Niki Kofsky (Eddie) and Kristopher Niesent; as well as four great grandchildren, Anthony Niesent, Thomas Graves, Marni and Asher Kofsky; her nephew, many nieces and their families.
Preceding Gladys in death were her husband of 58 years, Willard; her parents and two sisters.
She had great love for her family and her extended family existing of a host of friends, many for over 50 years. She will be greatly missed.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday at Timberline Church, 2908 S. Timberline Rd. Interment Grandview Cemetery. Reception will follow at 3:30 p.m. at the American Legion, 2124 Co Rd 54G, Fort Collins. Friends may send condolences to the family at bohlenderfuneralchapel.com.