Gladys Daiss

Gladys Velma Holden Daiss
Dec. 19, 1923 - Dec. 30, 2013

Gladys Daiss passed away Monday, December 30, 2013 at St. Luke's Magic Valley, Twin Falls, Idaho with her daughter, Mary Rebecca (Becky) by her side.

Gladys was born in Russelville, Alabama on December 19, 1923 to Clifton Leon and Mary Rowena Holden. She was the fourth child of ten. Although Gladys was raised during the Great Depression and the family had meager means, there was always plenty of love amongst them. She was raised in the Southern Baptist faith and knew her Savior and Lord. Her father was a traveling song leader and evangelist and her mother cared for the large family.

Gladys graduated in 1943 from Belgreen High School, Alabama. There was no money for college and no work in Alabama, so she moved to Columbus, Indiana where she worked for ten years. Her last employment in Indiana was working for a general surgeon which she thoroughly enjoyed. She also participated in many activities since Columbus was outside of Indianapolis. She especially loved square dancing and attended the International Square Dance Festival in Chicago in 1951. She was also involved with the National Rural Youth and attended the national training school in Des Moines, Iowa in 1051 also. While in Indiana she made many friends and shared a boarding house with three other ladies whom kept in close contact with each other throughout the years.

While dancing for the USO, she met the love of her life, a handsome young soldier who was stationed at Camp Atterbury, Indiana named Alfred Herman Daiss. They were married in Columbus, Indiana at the 1st Baptist Church on June 6, 1953 and shared 60 loving years together. Once arriving out west in Buhl, Idaho, she started a new chapter in her life, where Al had lived prior to being in the Army and she was welcomed into the Daiss family. The first night back in Buhl, Gladys' introduction to Idaho, Buhl, and the Daiss family, was by "friends" chivalry having them ride up and down Main Street and into Gibb's Cigar Store on two donkeys. The following year, their daughter, Mary Rebecca (Becky) Daiss Harshman was born September 27, 1954. Gladys always said she and Al wanted to have three children but were blessed to have one.

Once Gladys joined the Daiss family, she was confirmed in the Missouri Synod Lutheran faith and was actively involved with St. John's Lutheran Church in Buhl, which Al and his parents, Sam and Rebecca Daiss were charter members. As Al held various leadership positions with St. John's, Gladys was also active with the LWML, also holding leadership positions and teaching Sunday school. In Buhl, they developed many long friendships in their church family as well as the community which they will have throughout their lifetime. While Becky was in high school, Al and Gladys also served as Co-Youth Counselors with St. John's Lutheran church youth group, Walther League, with friends, Earl and Lelah Meier. Al and Gladys also enjoyed snowmobiling with friends, Edna and Karl Werth. Since Al was a member of the Buhl Volunteer Fire Dept., Gladys also was a fireman's wife where there was a strong bond. Gladys and Al also loved belonging to the B & C Dance Club and the friendships that was developed.

In 1961 Gladys and Al bought the Culligan Soft Water business in Buhl, which they operated together for 17 years. While owning the Culligan business, Gladys also started working as a substitute Rural Mail Carrier in Buhl until she obtained a rural route of her own which she carried for an additional 17 years. Gladys and Al always loved the country, and in 1972, bought an 80 acre farm east of Buhl. Although they had Chuck Ewing and later his sons farm the land, they loved raising chickens (only 1 year), lambs (they were too cute to eat), and feed cattle.

Upon retirement from the U.S. Postal Service, Gladys enjoyed volunteering at Magic Valley Regional Medical Center for 17 years where again, she developed many friends. In 2000, Al and Gladys moved to Twin Falls and thoroughly enjoyed the home and neighborhood on Hillcrest Dr. In 2003 they sold the farm and in 2006 they also transferred their church membership to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Twin Falls where they continued active attendance and membership until the past three and a half years, when, due to Al's deteriorating condition, they were no longer able to attend. They continued to share their faith by listening to church services and the Lutheran Hour on the radio and having Pastor Sedlmayr conduct services with them at Wynwood Senior Living Facility, in Twin Falls.

Gladys' is survived by her devoted companion, Al and daughter, Becky of Twin Falls; sisters, Clara Nelson and Lenora McCarley of Alabama, and sister-in-laws, Ethel Votroubek Hampton DeWalt. of Buhl and Ann Holden of Alabama. She is also survived by the remaining nieces Debbie Holden, Barbara McNatt and their families, nephews, Scott Holden, Toni McNatt, Marty McNatt and Kevin Holden and their families in Alabama. She is also survived by nieces, Diana Schroeder Lien, Salem, Oregon, Charolette Schroeder Einfalt, Boise, Idaho, Patsy Votroubek Kinyon, Castleford, Idaho, and Sue Votroubek, Jerome, Idaho, and all their families. Glady is also survived by nephews, Danny Votroubek, Meridian, Idaho, Gary Hicks, Riverside, Calif., Dennis Hanson, Boulder, Nevada, Craig Hicks, Riverside, Calif.; and Doug Hanson, Hickman, Nebraska, and their families.

Gladys was preceded in death by both of her parents and her in-laws, five brothers, Sherman Holden, Wallace Holden, Hollice Holden (deceased at birth), William Holden, Clifton Edward Holden, two sisters, Lavern McNatt, and Jean McNatt. She is also preceded in death by all her sisters-in-laws and all her brothers-in-laws, also a niece, Donna Schroeder Iverson, and nephew, Terry Votroubek, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Al and Becky would like to thank all the physicians, nurses, and staff of St. Luke's Magic Valley in caring for Gladys, especially Dr. DiMaggio, her private physicial. We would also like to thank Pastor Roger Sedlmayr for providing strength and compassion and bringing Al and Gladys' church to both of them, as well as singing songs of faith and comfort, Heather Huebscher, Intern Deaconess for Immanuel Lutheran Church, as well as the church members of Immanuel Lutheran Church and St. John's Lutheran Church. We would also like to thank the staff of Wynwood/Brookdale Senior Living Facility of Twin Falls for providing loving, supportive, and dignified care for the past three and a half years to both Al and Glady. We would also like to express our sincere appreciation to Auburn Crest Hospice, especially Kris, (Al's primary caregiver) and Jennie (Al's Case Manager) for providing compassionate, loving care while Al has been on hospice care.
Although the days ahead may be difficult for those that loved Gladys and she will be sorely missed, we know Gladys loved life and all the many Blessings she has had.

In celebration of Gladys' life, it is suggested that memorials be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, St. John's Lutheran Church, or the charity of your choice.

Gladys' funeral will be conducted by Pastor Roger Sedlmayr, on Monday, January 6, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2055 Filer Ave. E. in Twin Falls with a lunch to follow. Interment will be at Buhl Cemetery afterwards. Visitation will be held at Farmer's Funeral Chapel, Buhl, Idaho on Sunday, January 5, 2014 from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Arrangements are under the direction of Farmer's Funeral Chapel.