In loving memory of our beloved mother and grandmother Gladys Atkinson, who left us suddenly but peacefully July 7, 2013, surrounded by the love of her family both near and far. After serving all those who cherished her for 85 years, the Lord called her home at 3:10 in the morning at her home at Northwood Lodge in Red Lake, Ontario.

Gladys was predeceased by her husband and love of her life for forty years, Harold John Atkinson, an infant daughter, parents John and Maria Berild, mother-in-law Nellie Roy, four brothers - Ole, John, Chris and Walter (Berild), and three sisters Berit Hagen, Anna Johnson, and Alfreda Welsh. She is survived by her five loving children, Jim (Joan McCrea), Trevor (Janice Ming), Rod (Nijole Kisunas), Sandy (Mike Giroux), Valorie (Jeff Church); fourteen grandchildren - (eldest to youngest ) Adam, Naomi, Danny, Rebecca, Jamie, Nathan, Tom, Evan, Ingrid, Cody, Austin, Amanda, Erik and Hayden; six great-grandchildren – Tompson, Amy, Jaihda, Gideon, Malakai and Jude.

Gladys was the tenth child of John and Maria Berild and their only infant to be born in a hospital (Foothills, Calgary, Alberta). Her parents, immigrants from Norway and Sweden respectively, were Canada's first homesteaders in Youngstown, Alberta. The depression was tough on farmers and when Gladys was seven she remembered the government relocated the entire family and farm contents, by train, to Tofield, Alberta.

Gladys and her mother journeyed to Stromsund in Sweden to celebrate her grandparent's 50th wedding anniversary in 1938 and got caught up in the war; not being able to return to Canada until 1948 when she was 20 years of age. Her family settled in Edmonton where she became a master seamstress working for Eaton's making draperies.

Being young and adventurous she found herself working as a laundress at an air force base in Fort Nelson on the Alaska Highway. It was located next to an army base where there were dances every night. At the Halloween Dance in 1950 she met a tall dark handsome private named Harry Atkinson. On March 17, 1951 Gladys married Harry in Ft. Lewis, Washington, USA, three weeks before he sailed to battle in South Korea. Upon Harold's return from war the family moved with the Canadian Armed Forces to Edmonton, Calgary, Ottawa, Trenton and finally Rivers, Manitoba where they officially retired from the service. Gladys was a long-time resident of Ear Falls, Ontario (1969) prior to moving to the Legion Villa in Red Lake in 1996.

Gladys and Harold were a loving couple, as evidenced by their grace on the dance floor. They unselfishly and with great humanity served their communities, teaching their family what was important in life simply by doing. It was their capacity for love, however, that taught us the most.

Gladys was artistic. She came from a family of painters, and was a talented oil, acrylic and water colour artist. She could sew anything and was known for her delicious carrot cake. She loved a good laugh, and once donned a hat with a live rabbit in it for an Easter Parade. She loved to play cards with her friends, especially Eva and Lenore.

She was a survivor of the Polio epidemic of 1953, and for a time was partially paralyzed. She survived, but lost her brother John and her new born daughter within a couple of days.

Mom's final journey was a difficult one, but with the help of her closest living son and daughter-in-law and family reciprocating her strength and determination, she was able to close her final chapter with peace and dignity.

A celebration of Gladys's life will be held Sunday, July 14, 2013 beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the Ear Falls Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 238, where she was a lifetime member. Interment will follow in the Ear Falls Cemetery, followed by a lunch at the Legion hall.

Flowers are gratefully declined. If you so wish, donations may be made to Northwood Lodge, or to a charity of your choice in Glady's name through Herold Funeral Home, Box 237, Red Lake, ON P0V 2M0.