Gladys J. Knaus

Gladys June Knaus, 97, passed away peacefully on January 25, 2026, at her home in Longmont, CO. Gladys was born on June 7, 1928, in Brush, Colorado, to George Loose and Pauline Kaufmann Loose. Her greatest accomplishment, and proudest joy, was her family.

After losing her own mother at the age of 15, Gladys had her heart set on being part of a big family and creating one of her own. Gladys graduated from high school in McCook, NE, in 1946, after which she took business classes at a local junior college. She later moved to Denver and worked for The Great Western Sugar Company and the Public Service Medical Department.

On February 18, 1951, Gladys married Richard "Dick" Knaus. Together, they built a life farming and raising a family in Niwot, CO, for nearly 30 years. In 1981, she and Dick moved to Holyoke, CO, where they continued farming until 1990, when they moved back to Longmont. Gladys and Dick were married for 67 years before Dick's passing in 2018.

Gladys was deeply involved in her community throughout her life. She served as a 4-H leader for nearly 20 years. She was a longtime member of the Central Longmont Presbyterian Church, where she participated in the Priscilla Circle. Gladys was also an active member of P.E.O. Sisterhood, Chapter M.

She enjoyed staying active and social, particularly through swimming at Centennial Pool and her membership in the Sunset Women's Nine-Hole Golf Club. For more than 66 years, Gladys and Dick were members of a supper club made up of six couples who gathered regularly to play pinochle and enjoy one another's company. Gladys was a competitive pinochle player in her own right.

She will be remembered for her honesty, integrity, and loving competitive spirit.

Gladys was preceded in death by her husband, Richard "Dick" Knaus; her parents, George and Pauline Loose; three brothers, Larry, Reinholt, and Don Loose; her sister, Lillian Urbach; her grandson, Jay Knaus; and her step-great-grandchild, Noah Lindner.

She is survived by her five children: Paula Anderson (Randy), Julie Steele (Randy Williams), Mike Knaus (Sue), Melinda Helgeland (Bob), and Marci Knaus-Roemer (Mark); 19 grandchildren: Kelly Anderson, Craig Anderson, Seth Steele (Kirsten Larsen), Alison Steele (Pete Kraft), Emily Dunn (Jef f), Sara Wollesen (Brandon), Gale Williams (Jacque), Justin Williams, Carrie Rubino (Nick), Kirk Knaus, Julie Keehn (Will), Kris McGee (Terrence), Kaitlin Lyon (Jef f), Ryan Helgeland, Alec Helgeland, Melissa Jones, Brittny Rogers (Jeremy), Mitchell Jones, and Mollie Gunter (Brandon); as well as numerous great grandchildren.

The family wishes to extend a special thanks to the caregivers who provided care and comfort to Gladys during her final months.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at Central Presbyterian Church in Longmont. A celebration of life with family and friends will be held later this spring.

In remembrance of Gladys, please consider donating to Meals on Wheels America or the Niwot Historical Society.