Glenda K (Smith) Gill

Glenda K. Gill, 83, of Newton, a laugh-loving mother, grandmother, caring friend, and devoted follower of Jesus, reached her eternal home on March 4, 2020. While her passing was unexpected, it was her unshakeable faith in God and deep knowledge of scripture that allowed her a peacefulness about the transition from her earthly life.  A celebration of her life will be held from 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, March 11, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory.  In lieu of flowers, memorials to Hope Ministries may be left at the funeral home.  

Glenda, the daughter of Glenn and Opal (Parsons) Smith, was born July 1, 1936, and was a lifelong resident of Newton, Iowa. She graduated from Newton High School in 1954 and on November 12, 1955, she was united in marriage with Richard Gill. Glenda was a homemaker while raising her three daughters. After they were grown, Glenda worked at Hanson Directory Service in Newton for 15 years.

Glenda enjoyed traveling, bowling, bingo, country and Christian music and nature. She especially loved watching the birds and hand-feeding the squirrels from her home.  She listened to the radio news at her kitchen table every morning. And no day was complete without extended telephone calls with her daughters, which included a rehash of the previous night’s TV shows, golf tournament, or game.

An avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan, Glenda was able to attend a few games at Busch Stadium in recent years and only missed watching the Cards on TV if a game fell on bingo night.

Glenda looked forward to family gatherings, where her presence provided a positive influence on her children and grandchildren.  She was a lunchtime regular for meals at the Senior Citizen Center, and she instinctively found the good in people.

Glenda’s special relationship with her daughters serves as a testament to her loving spirit and she would be proud to know that it permeates throughout the family.  She is missed and will be forever remembered by her daughters, Karen Leonard (Kirk) of West Des Moines and Rhonda Webb (Jeff) of Wentzville, Missouri; grandchildren, Jennifer Karsten (Todd), Ryan O’Roake (Casey), Josh O’Roake, Jamie Snarr (John), Desiree Maher (Brian), Shera Morgan (Jesse), Courtney Conlin (J.B.), Brant Leonard (Nikki), Brynn Keller (Kyle); her 13 great-grandchildren; brother, Edwin Smith (Joann); and former spouse, Richard Gill.  She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Denise Briese; grandson, Joseph Webb; and special friend, Leroy Davis. 

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