Gladys Mae Nielsen

Gladys was born on August 22, 1915 in Crookston, Minnesota to Floyd and Jessie (Gray) Timmer. She was the middle child of three girls: Kathryn, Gladys and Helen. She attended schools in Crookston and where she graduated from high school. Gladys then attended college at the School of Nursing of Deaconess Hospital in Grand Forks, ND, receiving a Registered Nurse certification on November 18, 1936.

Gladys moved to Sacramento, CA to pursue her nursing career and worked in several local hospitals and state facilities. She met and married Cedric Barnes, and the couple had two children, Darrell and Faith. The couple divorced in 1958.

In 1960, Gladys married Alan Nielsen of Orangevale, CA. Alan was a longtime area rancher. The couple was active in many civic activities, including the Presbyterian Church’s Cruisers Group.

Gladys loved her flower garden and being outdoors working in her garden. She enjoyed arranging flowers and teaching others to do the same. She spent time reading, and liked to play cards and board games.

Between 1974 and 1995, Gladys held numerous positions within the California garden clubs. During 1989-1991 she served as the state president of the California Gardens Clubs, Inc., traveling state wide. She received the Alice Hilton Memorial Award as the Woman of The Year in 1995.

Following her husband’s death in 1991, Gladys moved to Worland, WY to be near her son and his family. She continued to be active in her church and with her gardening activities. She also was a past state president of the Wyoming Garden Clubs, and had been a member of the Worland Senior Citizens Center.

She was preceded in death by her parents and by her sisters.

Gladys is survived by her son Darrell (Kitsy) Barnes of Worland and by her daughter Faith McConnell of Arcata, CA; and by her four grandchildren David (Nickie Achziger) Barnes of Montana, Robin (Kasperi) Barnes-Pohjonen of Pennsylvania, and by Michael Suluski and Kathleen McConnell of Texas.

The funeral service will take place on December 6, 2013 at 1:00pm at Mount Vernon Memorial Park Mortuary in Fair Oaks, CA with burial to follow in Mount Vernon Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to either the Worland Garden Club or to the Worland Senior Center.

Veile Mortuary of Worland and Mount Vernon Memorial Park Mortuary are assisting her family with the arrangements.