Gladyas Mae Swenson

Gladyas Mae Sanders was born in Portland, Oregon on July 11, 1925 to parents Henry and Estella Sanders. Gladyas was sister to four brothers and one sister. The family first resided in Portland and later moved to a more rural setting in Beaverton where they lived on a family farm. Gladyas attended and graduated from Beaverton High School. In high school, Gladyas sang in the glee club.

Following high school Gladyas worked in the accounting offices of Marshall Wells, a department store in downtown Portland.

She married Harvey A. Swenson in Bethel Congregational Church in Beaverton, Oregon on April 9, 1949. The two met in Beaverton at Gladyas’ home in 1947.

Harvey, visiting from Minnesota, was staying with his aunt who lived near the Sanders family farm in Beaverton. Harvey was immediately taken by Gladyas when he was introduced to her. The two had a lot in common, having both grown up on a farm.

Harvey built their family home on 5 acres in Beaverton at the intersection of Davies road and 135th.

They had two children – daughter Pamela and son Mark. Theirs was an idyllic, rural upbringing. It was definitely some hard work at times, but not without its rich rewards. They had cows, chickens, rabbits, pigs, ducks, turkeys, horses, cats, and dogs, her favorite being a cockapoo named Heidi.

Gladyas was a member of Bethel Congregational Church starting in 1946. At Bethel, she helped with the children’s choir, attended women’s circle, and participated in lamplighters gatherings.

Not only was Gladyas a wonderful wife, mother, and homemaker, she worked outside of the home as well. After her time with Marshall Wells, she worked in the accounting offices of the Chrysler Corporation. She retired from Chrysler in 1986.

Gladyas enjoyed working in her yard and garden, sewing, and recreating with her family. In 1974, Harvey built a cabin at LaPine, Oregon. The family enjoyed countless fishing trips to Paulina Lake, near the cabin, and share many special memories of fishing together on the lake for kokanee salmon.

Before and after retirement, Gladyas and Harvey traveled together in their motorhome to many destinations outside of Oregon. They visited Harvey’s family in Minnesota several times. Some favorite destinations were Arizona, Missouri, California, Alaska, and Canada.

The Davies Road home was the life-long family home. In the 1980s, four of the acres were sold, but Gladyas and Harvey remained in that home until June 11 of 2014.

Gladyas will be remembered as someone who loved her family very much. She was so proud of each and every one. Gladyas always made an effort to support her family in any way that she could. She was a loving wife, daughter, mother, mother-in-law, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend and she will be missed.

She is predeceased by her parents Henry and Estella; and all four of her brothers.

Survivors include her loving husband, Harvey; daughter Pam (husband, Keith); son, Mark (wife, Berta); sister, Elsie Sears; grandchildren, Patrick Swenson, Lindsy Stevens, Amanda Pigeon, Mallory Stevens, and Jennifer Bruschetto; 5 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

All are welcome to attend a memorial service followed by a reception to be held at Skyline Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home Chapel, 4101 NW Skyline Blvd., Portland, Oregon, on Friday, July 11, 2014, at 1pm. This date would have been Gladyas' 89th birthday.

Remembrances in lieu of flowers may be made to Alzheimer's Association (alz.org).

Please visit Gladyas’ internet memorial and online guestbook at Home - Skyline Memorial Gardens Funeral Home | Portland OR

Arrangements under the direction of Skyline Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, Portland, OR.