Gladys Ekker May
GREEN RIVER-Our wonderful mother and grandmother, Gladys Louise Ekker May, 92, passed away peacefully surrounded by her children on March 16, 2021.
She was born to Cornelius and Edna Gibbons Ekker on March 3, 1929, the 11th of 12 children. She was raised in that big fun-loving family with lots of love and laughter, and that is how she raised her own five children. She was named by her older brothers in honor of two well-loved teachers: Gladys Jones and Louise McClure. It was a perfect name.
Her younger years were spent on the Henry Mountains, in Hanksville and Bicknell. She began high school in Grand Junction, Colorado but finished in Green River. It was at Green River High School when she met her husband-to-be, Roy May. The two of them were married on June 12, 1947 and had 43 wonderful years together before he passed away in 1990. They raised five children together and spent many hours on the river, in the mountains and at family or community events.
She always said she was tough because she was raised in the Henry Mountains. Her 92 years of a life well lived certainly does attest to that toughness. Gladys was fun loving and will be remembered for her contagious laugh. Those who spent any time at the May home were treated to home cooking and the best pies in the world. Her apple pie and rhubarb pie put most bakeries to shame. Everything was made from scratch in Gladys’ kitchen. She touched the hearts of many through the years. There was nothing she loved more than spending time in her living room listening to music performed by her “family of musicians.”
Gladys was a member of Bethany Chapter #9 of the Order of the Eastern Star for over 60 years. She and Roy were Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron many times. As a devoted member, she helped sustain the Chapter. She was an active community member, most recently representing the town of Green River at the River History Museum and contributing substantially to the Green River Archives. She volunteered at the high school and was the envy of any basketball trainer with her well-laundered and expertly-folded team towels. She was a regular at Green River High School basketball games—especially when she had kids or grandkids participating.
Gladys is survived by her five children, Kenneth May (Ann Robins), Salina; Debbie (Bob) Madsen, Salem; Bert (Marianne) May, Knoxville, TN; Jayme (Darrel) Mecham, Green River and Kayce Fluckey (Gary Riches), Green River; five grandchildren, Nealy (David) Riley, Jake Mecham, Landen (Kimarie) Fluckey, David May and Kellie May; great-grandchildren, Jade, Ryder, and Eli Mecham, Cami and Ellis Riley.
She was preceded in death by her husband Roy, her parents and 11 Ekker brothers and sisters.
The May family wishes to thank Community Nursing Services, especially Lorraine Martin and the staff at Green River Medical Center for their expert and compassionate care of our wonderful mother.
Funeral Service, Saturday, March 20, 2021, 11:30 a.m., Green River Ward Chapel where the family will receive friends beginning at 10:15.
Graveside services will be performed by the members of Bethany Chapter #9 at the Elgin Cemetery. Interment and other arrangements will be under the direction of Mitchell Funeral Home.
GREEN RIVER-Our wonderful mother and grandmother, Gladys Louise Ekker May, 92, passed away peacefully surrounded by her children on March 16, 2021.
She was born to Cornelius and Edna Gibbons Ekker on March 3, 1929, the 11th of 12 children. She was raised in that big fun-loving family with lots of love and laughter, and that is how she raised her own five children. She was named by her older brothers in honor of two well-loved teachers: Gladys Jones and Louise McClure. It was a perfect name.
Her younger years were spent on the Henry Mountains, in Hanksville and Bicknell. She began high school in Grand Junction, Colorado but finished in Green River. It was at Green River High School when she met her husband-to-be, Roy May. The two of them were married on June 12, 1947 and had 43 wonderful years together before he passed away in 1990. They raised five children together and spent many hours on the river, in the mountains and at family or community events.
She always said she was tough because she was raised in the Henry Mountains. Her 92 years of a life well lived certainly does attest to that toughness. Gladys was fun loving and will be remembered for her contagious laugh. Those who spent any time at the May home were treated to home cooking and the best pies in the world. Her apple pie and rhubarb pie put most bakeries to shame. Everything was made from scratch in Gladys’ kitchen. She touched the hearts of many through the years. There was nothing she loved more than spending time in her living room listening to music performed by her “family of musicians.”
Gladys was a member of Bethany Chapter #9 of the Order of the Eastern Star for over 60 years. She and Roy were Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron many times. As a devoted member, she helped sustain the Chapter. She was an active community member, most recently representing the town of Green River at the River History Museum and contributing substantially to the Green River Archives. She volunteered at the high school and was the envy of any basketball trainer with her well-laundered and expertly-folded team towels. She was a regular at Green River High School basketball games—especially when she had kids or grandkids participating.
Gladys is survived by her five children, Kenneth May (Ann Robins), Salina; Debbie (Bob) Madsen, Salem; Bert (Marianne) May, Knoxville, TN; Jayme (Darrel) Mecham, Green River and Kayce Fluckey (Gary Riches), Green River; five grandchildren, Nealy (David) Riley, Jake Mecham, Landen (Kimarie) Fluckey, David May and Kellie May; great-grandchildren, Jade, Ryder, and Eli Mecham, Cami and Ellis Riley.
She was preceded in death by her husband Roy, her parents and 11 Ekker brothers and sisters.
The May family wishes to thank Community Nursing Services, especially Lorraine Martin and the staff at Green River Medical Center for their expert and compassionate care of our wonderful mother.
Funeral Service, Saturday, March 20, 2021, 11:30 a.m., Green River Ward Chapel where the family will receive friends beginning at 10:15.
Graveside services will be performed by the members of Bethany Chapter #9 at the Elgin Cemetery. Interment and other arrangements will be under the direction of Mitchell Funeral Home.
Gladys Ekker May
GREEN RIVER-Our wonderful mother and grandmother, Gladys Louise Ekker May, 92, passed away peacefully surrounded by her children on March 16, 2021.
She was born to Cornelius and Edna Gibbons Ekker on March 3, 1929, the 11th of 12 children. She was raised in that big fun-loving family with lots of love and laughter, and that is how she raised her own five children. She was named by her older brothers in honor of two well-loved teachers: Gladys Jones and Louise McClure. It was a perfect name.
Her younger years were spent on the Henry Mountains, in Hanksville and Bicknell. She began high school in Grand Junction, Colorado but finished in Green River. It was at Green River High School when she met her husband-to-be, Roy May. The two of them were married on June 12, 1947 and had 43 wonderful years together before he passed away in 1990. They raised five children together and spent many hours on the river, in the mountains and at family or community events.
She always said she was tough because she was raised in the Henry Mountains. Her 92 years of a life well lived certainly does attest to that toughness. Gladys was fun loving and will be remembered for her contagious laugh. Those who spent any time at the May home were treated to home cooking and the best pies in the world. Her apple pie and rhubarb pie put most bakeries to shame. Everything was made from scratch in Gladys’ kitchen. She touched the hearts of many through the years. There was nothing she loved more than spending time in her living room listening to music performed by her “family of musicians.”
Gladys was a member of Bethany Chapter #9 of the Order of the Eastern Star for over 60 years. She and Roy were Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron many times. As a devoted member, she helped sustain the Chapter. She was an active community member, most recently representing the town of Green River at the River History Museum and contributing substantially to the Green River Archives. She volunteered at the high school and was the envy of any basketball trainer with her well-laundered and expertly-folded team towels. She was a regular at Green River High School basketball games—especially when she had kids or grandkids participating.
Gladys is survived by her five children, Kenneth May (Ann Robins), Salina; Debbie (Bob) Madsen, Salem; Bert (Marianne) May, Knoxville, TN; Jayme (Darrel) Mecham, Green River and Kayce Fluckey (Gary Riches), Green River; five grandchildren, Nealy (David) Riley, Jake Mecham, Landen (Kimarie) Fluckey, David May and Kellie May; great-grandchildren, Jade, Ryder, and Eli Mecham, Cami and Ellis Riley.
She was preceded in death by her husband Roy, her parents and 11 Ekker brothers and sisters.
The May family wishes to thank Community Nursing Services, especially Lorraine Martin and the staff at Green River Medical Center for their expert and compassionate care of our wonderful mother.
Funeral Service, Saturday, March 20, 2021, 11:30 a.m., Green River Ward Chapel where the family will receive friends beginning at 10:15.
Graveside services will be performed by the members of Bethany Chapter #9 at the Elgin Cemetery. Interment and other arrangements will be under the direction of Mitchell Funeral Home.
GREEN RIVER-Our wonderful mother and grandmother, Gladys Louise Ekker May, 92, passed away peacefully surrounded by her children on March 16, 2021.
She was born to Cornelius and Edna Gibbons Ekker on March 3, 1929, the 11th of 12 children. She was raised in that big fun-loving family with lots of love and laughter, and that is how she raised her own five children. She was named by her older brothers in honor of two well-loved teachers: Gladys Jones and Louise McClure. It was a perfect name.
Her younger years were spent on the Henry Mountains, in Hanksville and Bicknell. She began high school in Grand Junction, Colorado but finished in Green River. It was at Green River High School when she met her husband-to-be, Roy May. The two of them were married on June 12, 1947 and had 43 wonderful years together before he passed away in 1990. They raised five children together and spent many hours on the river, in the mountains and at family or community events.
She always said she was tough because she was raised in the Henry Mountains. Her 92 years of a life well lived certainly does attest to that toughness. Gladys was fun loving and will be remembered for her contagious laugh. Those who spent any time at the May home were treated to home cooking and the best pies in the world. Her apple pie and rhubarb pie put most bakeries to shame. Everything was made from scratch in Gladys’ kitchen. She touched the hearts of many through the years. There was nothing she loved more than spending time in her living room listening to music performed by her “family of musicians.”
Gladys was a member of Bethany Chapter #9 of the Order of the Eastern Star for over 60 years. She and Roy were Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron many times. As a devoted member, she helped sustain the Chapter. She was an active community member, most recently representing the town of Green River at the River History Museum and contributing substantially to the Green River Archives. She volunteered at the high school and was the envy of any basketball trainer with her well-laundered and expertly-folded team towels. She was a regular at Green River High School basketball games—especially when she had kids or grandkids participating.
Gladys is survived by her five children, Kenneth May (Ann Robins), Salina; Debbie (Bob) Madsen, Salem; Bert (Marianne) May, Knoxville, TN; Jayme (Darrel) Mecham, Green River and Kayce Fluckey (Gary Riches), Green River; five grandchildren, Nealy (David) Riley, Jake Mecham, Landen (Kimarie) Fluckey, David May and Kellie May; great-grandchildren, Jade, Ryder, and Eli Mecham, Cami and Ellis Riley.
She was preceded in death by her husband Roy, her parents and 11 Ekker brothers and sisters.
The May family wishes to thank Community Nursing Services, especially Lorraine Martin and the staff at Green River Medical Center for their expert and compassionate care of our wonderful mother.
Funeral Service, Saturday, March 20, 2021, 11:30 a.m., Green River Ward Chapel where the family will receive friends beginning at 10:15.
Graveside services will be performed by the members of Bethany Chapter #9 at the Elgin Cemetery. Interment and other arrangements will be under the direction of Mitchell Funeral Home.
Family Members
Siblings
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Harold Cornelius Ekker
1908–1991
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Horace Edward Ekker
1909–1993
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Arthur Benjamin Ekker
1911–1978
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Charles Riter Ekker
1913–1997
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Reba Geneal Ekker Bennett
1914–1992
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Darys Frederick Ekker
1916–2002
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Glen Stoddard Ekker
1919–2003
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Julia Marie Ekker Cheskaty
1922–2015
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Bruce Herbert "Bampa" Ekker
1924–2009
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Jesse Gibbons Ekker
1926–1999
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Teddy Cornelius "Ted" Ekker
1931–2014
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