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E-mailSEPTEMBER 11, 1913 - JANUARY 29, 2012
RESIDENT OF PLEASANTON
Gladys Wenzel River Nordell was born September 11, 1913, in Kalispell, Montana. Gladys Wenzel River was the daughter of Herman Wenzel and Anna Johnson Wenzel. She grew up in the "Dairy Country" of Wisconsin and loved baseball, horseback riding, ice skating and tennis. When she was twelve the family moved to Chicago, Illinois, where she later attended the Art Institute and received her Bachelor of Arts from Lewis Institute. Gladys met her future husband, Robert Beaudon River, at Lewis Institute. They both loved the opera and often served as extras in opera productions. They married in 1935 and moved to San Francisco, California, where they started their family, and moved many times before settling in Oakland, California. During World War II, Gladys devoted herself to her children, keeping them from any fear of the war, and when her husband returned, helped him through the trauma of war so he could return to civilian life. She loved to cook, make clothes for herself and the family, play the piano and sing. She was patient and loving, hospitable to others, and quick to help anyone in need. A baptized and confirmed Christian, she was a model of the Golden Rule that she often stated, and was an inspiration to many. She worked as a commercial artist at Emporium Capwell Department store in Oakland, and became its art director, and worked there until age 70. Gladys credited her long life to the Norwegian part of her heritage, calling herself a "Strong Norwegian". She lived her last four years in Pleasanton, being cared for by her friend "Lita" and daughters and son-in-law, until her death on January 29, 2012.
Beloved mother of Gertrude "Trudy" Flores and Susan Contreras, mother-in-law of Marcos Contreras, and grandmother of Edward Flores, Vincent Flores, and Cecilia Contreras, Gladys was preceded in death by her husband, Robert River, in 1964, and her son, Michael River, in 2006. We will always remember you mom, as a strong and good woman, a good mother, and a witty role model. We look forward to being with you in heaven.
Funeral services will be held at Holy Angels Funeral and Cremation Center, 1051 Harder Road, Hayward, CA 94542. Viewing is at 10:00am, service at 12:00pm with a reception to follow. Donations to Children's Hospital "Artist in Residence" would be appreciated in lieu of flowers. Children's Hospital, Artist in Residence, 2201 Broadway, Suite 600, Oakland, Ca 94612 or online at www.chofoundation.org.
Holy Angels Funeral Center - FD1456
510-537-6600