Obituary of Gladys Yerex

Gladys Klassen Yerex passed away peacefully on Friday, July 19, 2019, at the Peter Lougheed Centre in Calgary, AB with her close friend and caregiver Lori Watt at her side. Her funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. at the Strathmore Alliance Church with Pastor Bob Voth officiating.

Gladys was born at Beaver Flat, SK on August 28,1932 to Abram and Margaretha Klassen – the youngest of twelve children. She attended Friesen School. Along with her family, she was at home in the Turnhill Mennonite Brethren Church. After graduating in 1954 from Millar Memorial Bible Institute, Pambrun, SK she began a missionary career in India, only to be invalided home in 1959 with severe rheumatoid osteoarthritis. She spent the next 18 years in East Tawas, Michigan before returning to Swift Current, SK. In February 2000 she married her former Bible School teacher, widower Art Yerex. Art and Gladys made their home in Strathmore, Alberta. In January 2017 they moved into the

AgeCare Sagewood Seniors Community there.

Gladys was predeceased by her parents, Abram & Margaretha Klassen; her siblings, David (Lydia), Elsie (Herman) Klassen, Ed (Luella), Katie (Dan) Klaassen, Linda, Ernie (Erma), Frank, Helen (Graham) Wotherspoon, and Archie (Frances). She is survived by her siblings, Susanna Fortman, Ruby (Al) Kleps, and sisters-in-law Helen and Olga Klassen, and by many nieces, nephews and their families. Gladys’ beloved husband Art passed away on July 12, 2018, at age 101, survived by his children Darcy and Retalee (Dennis) and their families.

Gladys was characterized by implicit faith in Jesus Christ, and her life reflected His love and grace to all. Outstanding among her many noble traits was the dignified way in which she carried her terrible, crippling disease without bitterness or complaint. To spend an hour at her side would have you coming away impressed by her contentment, humour, and her interest in and love for you. While her family and friends mourn her loss they are relieved that her suffering is over and that she is now with Jesus, “to whom she belonged and whom she served” (adapted from St. Paul’s words in Acts 27:23).