in the region. Due to the depression, the family lost the farm and her father drove a grain truck
for several years. After the depression, in better years, the family purchased a second farm.
Gladys attended K through 12 school in Kidder. It was over a mile from the farm. Some days she
rode a horse to school when she could run him down in the pasture. The horse did not want to
stay hitched in the hot sun at school all day. The horse would break loose from the hitch and go
home. Most of the time, Gladys would walk to school. She learned to drive the Model T Ford
when she was a teenager. They did not have Covid-19 when she was a teenager, but she did
catch something similar to the flu and missed school for one year. She liked music in school and
earned a pin in piano during high school. Gladys married Albert Rhea Sr. also of Kidder Mo, who
entered the navy during WW2. Albert was stationed on the east coast in the Submarine service.
Gladys worked during the war on the east coast making crystals for military radios. After the
war, Gladys and Albert Sr. moved to South Omaha and purchased a home where they lived for
fifty years. She retired from J C Penny’s after working at the downtown and South Roads
stores. Gladys was a breast cancer survivor. In retirement, Gladys and Albert Sr. liked to travel,
camping, and fishing. They spent countless hours on genealogy, even traveling back to
cemeteries in Pennsylvania. They had over 50 photo albums with family ancestry tracing back
to England and Wales. Gladys enjoyed reading and watching KC Royals baseball on TV. She also
made quilts and loved to sew.
Gladys is survived by her son, Albert, and wife, Debra; 5 grandchildren: Jason Rhea, Justin Rhea
Kelly Rhea Le Master, Matthew Rhea, and Allen Rhea; 5 great-grandchildren; Mary Beth, Harbour
Kelsey Rhea Fichter, Kesler Rhea; Killian Rhea and Rhealynn Schleicher and 1 great-great
grandchild, Addison Harbour.
Gladys was preceded in death by husband Albert Clifford Rhea, Sr., daughter Opal Rhea, son
Donald Rhea, and granddaughter Meredith Rhea Schleicher.
Memorials to St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 2315 “I” Street Omaha, Nebraska
