Gladyce Betty Pointer

Gladyce Betty Pointer, 93, passed away September 18, 2006 at Heritage Health Center, Gering, NE. A celebration of her life will be held at Dugan-Kramer funeral home on Friday September 22, 2006 with Pastor Steve Demont officiating. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery in Scottsbluff. Memorials are to the family. Gladyce was born October 11, 1912 at the family homestead four miles west of Scottsbluff on the North Platte River. The youngest of 10 children, she was the daughter of early settlers Betty Anne Smith Kronberg (from Illinois) and Christian Kronberg (from Denmark) who homesteaded in 1889. She attended country schools as well as Scottsbluff public schools and graduated in 1929. She learned to be a dental hygienist and was Dr. Berkley’s first office assistant and receptionist. She married James B Pointer September 23, 1933 at Lexington, KY. They made their home in Scottsbluff. To this union was born a son, James Ted, and a daughter, Jeanne Marie. Gladyce was a homemaker and a business partner of her husband. James always respected her business sense as well as all of her many domestic talents. Her famous pies would not last the day around her family. Gladyce and James became motel owner/operators, and Gladyce was a prime mover of those businesses while James continued to manage Rymer’s Plumbing. The family attended church together for years, and in later life Gladyce became a member of the Berean church. She was a member of Does and Order of the Eastern Star. Very special family trips were taken to San Diego to visit friends, along with occasional camping trips – until a particularly mosquito infested occasion – after which Gladyce said “not again”!! As grandchildren and great-grandchildren arrived Gladyce proved herself a wonderful mentor and Grandmother. She was the personification of indomitable spirit, and her descendants prosper every day because of her example. She often helped with her grandchildren, and they feel blessed for the experience. Gladyce and Jim moved to Escondido, CA for a year and then back to Scottsbluff. The transplanted Kentuckian and the Valley native could never get Scottsbluff out of their system. Her survivors remember memorable picnics at Pioneer Park and other venues with her sister Grace, niece Betty, sister-in-law Hazel, nieces Mary Jo, Colleen, Patsy, sister Ruthe, niece Margie, and nephew Jon Larry, along with children, grandchildren, and friends. James’ sisters Della and Lela from Florida and Rena and Nora (with children James and Rena) from Scottsbluff were frequent visitors. Through the years Gladyce and Jim took trips to Washington, DC, Hawaii, and south Texas to escape winter cold. Gladyce loved her trip to Santa Barbara and almost convinced James to move to California again! When James became ill Gladyce became his caregiver for several years, until his death in 1989. She remained in her home until 2002, spent two years with her daughter Jeanne, and then moved to Heritage Health Center. Gladyce was preceded in death by her husband, nine brothers and sisters, and her parents. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and best friend. She lived a life filled with grace and kindness, and always put others before herself. She is survived by James and Melva Pointer of Parker, CO; Jeanne and Craig Matthews of Scottsbluff. Grandchildren are Debbie Pearson, Katie Farlow, Chuck Farlow, Jeff Pointer, Jon Pointer, Jacqueline Pointer, and Bill Turrill, as well as 16 Great-grandchildren. Her family gives thanks that she has been in our lives. We also extend our thanks to Dr. Magana, Dr. Rainwater, Dr. Longoria, and the caring ladies of Heritage Health Center, who saw Gladyce as a very special lady.