Gladys B. Riedel

Gladys B. Riedel October 23, 1919 - February 10, 2015 Gladys Barbra (Jaros) Riedel was born in Warroad, Minnesota on October 23, 1919 and lived for over 95 years until February 10, 2015. Mom always said her parents, John M. and Rose (Petrak) Jaros named her Gladys because they were glad she was the last of their eight children. She had six brothers and one sister. Mom began school at age four and with the accompaniment of her youngest brothers, Jim and Roy, was able to graduate from high school in such hard times. As a young girl of 16, she worked in the potato fields, then as a hired girl on a farm in southern Minnesota, and as a maid for a top GE executive in White Bear Lake, MN. She longed to see the world, beginning with her desire to come out west. She traveled by herself to Grand Coulee and the Quincy, WA area where her Petrak family relatives were located. Mom was invited to move to Wenatchee with her cousin, Ione Petrak, and work in the peach cannery. Across the street in the Bruce Hotel, lived Harold L. (Dutch) Riedel who came from Iowa. They married October 9, 1941 and celebrated 40 years of marriage, raising their three children in Monitor, WA. Mom packed apples and pears for 34 years in Cashmere, Monitor, and Wenatchee. She also worked in orchards up until her late 80’s, including her own cherry orchard and her son’s apple orchards. Mom and Dad started traveling in 1972, visiting all 50 US states, Canada, and Baja, Mexico through 1981. After Dad passed, she continued to fulfill her dream by traveling to 46 countries, some more than once, with companions she met on the tours who became her best friends. Her last big trip was with her daughter to Australia and New Zealand at the age of 90. While still active at the Wenatchee Valley Senior Center most of the past five years, she was proud to be a lifetime member, having helped raise the money for the present building. She leaves the other love of her life, her family and loved ones Wes & Lana Riedel, Kristin, Justin, Tyler & Adam Hayton, Tam Riedel, Thy Riedel, Thanh, Glen and Hunter Wroblewski, Matt, Kelly, Seth & Jemma Riedel, Jeanne Guthrie, Bill Barnes, Brandy Thompson, Lexie Thompson & Adam Makemson, Cheri, Aaron, Macie, Kinly & Nason Tanis, Jordan, Katherine, Hayden, Izabel & Finn Guthrie, and many nieces and nephews. Special thanks and appreciation to her caregiver, Kailyn, the hospice group, and to Sarah and her staff at Leiah’s Retreat. A graveside memorial is planned for March 21, 1 PM, at the Cashmere Cemetery. Following, there will be a time of food and sharing at the Wenatchee Valley Senior Center. In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be given to the Senior Center in her honor. Please express your thoughts and memories on the online guest book at jonesjonesbetts.com. Arrangements are by Jones & Jones-Betts Funeral Home.

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Gladys B. Riedel

October 23, 1919 - February 10, 2015