GLADYS M. STOKES

Gladys M. Stokes, age 86 of Sidney, NE passed away Sunday, April 9, 2017 at her home in Sidney.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Thursday, April 13th in the First Baptist Church, 1020 17th Avenue in Sidney with Pastor Raymond Stokes officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenwood Cemetery. Friends may stop at the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel on Wednesday from 1-7:00 P.M., with family present from 4-6:00 P.M. A memorial is being established. You may view Gladys’ Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at www.gehrigstittchapel.com.
Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of Gladys’ care and funeral arrangements.
Gladys, the daughter of John and Anna (Flury) VanMark, was born August 16, 1930 in Sidney. She grew up on the family farm SW of Sidney and attended the Brownson School. On Oct 21, 1950 she married Horace W Owens. To this union were born Linda Yvonne and Nancy Joy Owens. They lived on the family farm in the Sidney Draw. She was a charter member of the First Baptist Church which began in 1948. Her husband Horace died in 1981. She loved to play the organ, and enjoyed her role as a Sunday School teacher for the youth group. Later she married Raymond Stokes, and served by his side as pastor’s wife for 33 years until her death. She continued to serve as pianist and Sunday school teacher and was a Godly role model to the ladies of the church.
She is survived by her Husband, Raymond Stokes, Daughter Nancy Sitorius, step-Daughters, Kim Manning, Sherri Scholdberg, Brother Jim (Jean) VanMark twelve grandchildren and several great grandchildren, and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband Horace, Daughter Linda, and Sister Anna Marie.