Gladys was born in rural Thompson, Iowa, the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Rossiter) McAlister. She was a graduate of Thompson High School and Spencer Business College in Baton Rouge, La. She worked as a legal secretary, as quality control and a line worker at Stokely Van Camp, and a nursing assistant at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Truman. She truly loved working with elderly people. Gladys was a member of the Willow Creek Lutheran Church and the Dorcas Society. She was also a member of the Sewing Club of Lewisville. Gladys had many hobbies including gardening, cooking, baking, canning, embroidery, knitting and crocheting. She made many baby afghans for the new babies of family and friends. In 1942, she was united in marriage to Thomas Andersen of Fairmont, who was in the U.S. Army at the time. To this union, five children were born. Thomas passed away in 1976. In 1991, she married Ronald Wilde of rural Amboy, and gained two stepsons. Ronald passed away in 2002. Gladys is survived by two sons, Dwight (Crystal) Andersen of Fairmont, Rodney (Denise) Andersen of Carver; two daughters, Elizabeth Andersen (partner, Jim Holt) of San Jose, Calif. Janee (Douglas) Hansgaard of Gold Canyon, Ariz.; one stepson, James (Mary) Wilde of Amboy; 21 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; son-in-law, John Lehman of Sunnyvale, Calif.; step-daughter-in-law, Cheryl Wilde of Fulda; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents, Gladys was preceded in death by her husbands, Thomas Andersen and Ronald Wilde; daughter, Charmaine Lehman; stepson, Dennis Wilde; sisters, Lela Long, Lula Thayer, Thelma McAlister, Amelia Graves, Jean Johanson; and step-granddaughter, Jody (Wilde Wolf) Volk. The family requests memorials be directed to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Willow Creek.

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