Gladys L. Hedges

Gladys L. Crutcher Hedges (Cockley Schmitten) Gladys was born on November 29, 1915, in Libby, Montana. She was the second daughter of Harry L. and Minnie L. (Calhoun) Crutcher, The family came to Wenatchee when she was three years old. Gladys attended Wenatchee Schools and graduated from Wenatchee High. On August 25, 1935, she married Ralph W. Hedges and moved to Stemilt Hill, where they owned and operated an orchard. They had three children, Wendell, Gail, and Becky. Gladys loved children, and over the years, in addition to her own three, she helped to raise Linda Crutcher, and Clo Ann Brownell. Her home and her heart were always open to a child in need. She was a great mother. Gladys really enjoyed cooking and entertaining, and she produced many fine meals for friends and family. She also loved gardening, and was a member of the S. Wenatchee garden club for many years. There was always a berry patch and a vegetable garden in the summer. She was a member of the Stemilt Hill Grange for over 50 years, serving in several offices. In the early years the grange provided the social life for the community with dances and potluck suppers which she enjoyed very much. She was active in the Stemilt Ladies Benefit Club, embroidering many shower gifts. She also served as a pink lady for the hospital. But most of all she loved her family and always put them first. After Ralph’s death she married Charles Gockley. They both enjoyed gardening, and they produced huge radishes and the best tomato juice imaginable. When Charles died she married Donald Schmitten, and they divided their time between his homes on Lake Chelan and Yuma, AZ. Sadly she was widowed again. She then moved to her own apartment in Colonial Vista where she lived for ten years. A broken hip necessitated a move to Avalon Home for Seniors where she received wonderfully kind and loving care. Gladys was predeceased by her parents, three husbands and her siblings Grace Parker Johnson, Edith Sutton Hays, Bernice Davis, and Harry Crutcher Jr. She is survived by her children and their spouses, R. Wendell and Lynn Hedges, Bellevue, WA, Gail and Ron Myers, E. Wenatchee, and Rebecca and Nolan Carlson, Wenatchee, 13 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, her sister Evelyn McGrew, Wenatchee and numerous nieces and nephews. A celebration of Gladys’ life will be held at a later date.

Tributes

Gladys L. Hedges

November 29, 1915 - April 1, 2011