Gladys Carroll Smalberger was born on December 19, 1924 in Marion, Nebraska and spent her childhood there with her seven brothers and sisters. She graduated from Marion High School and went on to teach at a one-room schoolhouse. She and Rex Smalberger were united in marriage on August 16, 1944. That day they headed to Washington to work in the Seattle shipyards, but ran out of money before getting there – so they made their home in Oregon!
Gladys had a number of interests, some of which were spending time with family and friends, reading, sewing, working with the Girl Scouts, stamp and coin collecting, and spending special time with her grandson.
She was preceded in death by Rex Smalberger, her husband of fifty years, and all of her brothers and sisters. She is survived by two daughters, JoAnn C. Smalberger of Portland and Kathy Miller of Beaverton; and by one grandson, Nicholi Miller of Portland.
Donations in her memory would be greatly appreciated by the family, and may be made to the Providence Hospice Program.
