Wrangell Sentinel -

Gladys Gunderson, Shtax’ héen Kwáan, passed away on November 27, 2012 with her family by her side.

Gladys was born in Klawock, on August 20, 1927 to Ester Williams Roberts and George Roberts.

She was one of eight children, including sisters Eleanor, Irene, Mamie, Romaine, and brothers Theodore, Leonard, and Harold. Gladys grew up in Klawock and then moved to Sitka in 1954 where she worked at the Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital, where she met Gilbert Gunderson who also worked there.

As Gilbert moved back to Wrangell Gladys soon followed and they were married in November 1955. Together they raised nine children Sharon, Joe, Lyle, Rose Ann, Marcus, Arlene, Arnold, Eleanor and Charmaine.

Gladys did everything with her kids, including bike riding, picnics, berry picking, beachcombing, and especially enjoyed making fishing trips with her family on their boat Julie Ann.

In her quiet time Gladys enjoyed reading her Bible. She also taught herself to sew and made dresses for herself and always made Easter dresses for her daughters. She made regular trips to Klawock to gather her native food. She loved putting up her food. Gladys cherished her Tlingit heritage and culture and was very proud of the fact that her children are direct descendants of Chief George Shakes through their father Gilbert Gunderson.

Gladys loved being involved in the ANS and Salvation Army Home League.

Brothers Theodore, Leonard, and Harold; sisters, Eleanor, Rose Ann; son Arnold, and great granddaughter Nanette Scherrer precede Gladys in death.

Gladys is survived by children Sharon Scherrer, Arlene (Mike) Gedney, Eleanor (Bill) Knect, Charmaine (Carl) Benston, Joe, Lye and Marcus; 19 grandchildren; and 48 great grand kids.

Services were held at the Assembly of God Church on December 1, 2012 in Wrangell.