Gladys Adelia Pilsch (Jordan), 84

Gladys Adelia Pilsch (Jordan), 84, peacefully slipped in to the presence of Jesus, who she had served her whole life, and joined the love of her life, Albert Pilsch on Thursday, July 29, 2010. She was born on March 2, 1926, in Kalispell to Harry Wesley and Paula Adelia (Schulstad) Ross. Gladys received her early education in Kalispell, graduating from Flathead County High School in 1944. She then attended Nurses Training in Portland, Ore. While walking to church with her girlfriend, Gladys met Albert L. Pilsch, who was on shore leave from the Navy. By the end of the day, they knew they were meant to be together. After Al was discharged, the couple married in Kalispell on Jan. 21, 1946. Gladys raised four children while working with Al in the Chicken Hatchery and doing various home-based jobs, like selling Studio Girl Cosmetics and casting and painting figurines. As the kids got older, she studied oil painting. She learned from Bill Alexander, who developed the wet-on-wet technique and was even asked to represent his product. This would have taken too much time from her family, so she declined. Al and Gladys traveled with the National Artist Tour for a number of years before being invited to Silver Dollar City in Branson, Mo., to display and sell their art. They were at Silver Dollar City when Al died suddenly in October of 1997. Gladys later married Arnold Jordan on Aug. 29, 2001, and the couple enjoyed dancing at the Eagles and traveling together. Arnold passed on April 1, 2010. Gladys was preceded in death by two husbands; a brother, Bob Ross; an infant brother; and a grandson, Michael. She is survived by son, Ron Pilsch and wife, Nancy of Kalispell; daughters, Peggy Gahr and husband, George of Joplin, Mo., and Pat Poole of Kalispell; and a son, Larry Pilsch and wife, Jo of Federal Way, Wash.; one sister, Joyce Heikens and husband, Tom of Bigfork; and sister-in-law, JoAnne Ross of Kalispell; 10 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services for Gladys will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, August 4, in the Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Chapel, with Chaplain Bob Thornton officiating. Burial will follow at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, in the funeral home. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Gladys family. You are invited to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Gladys s tribute wall and offer condolences.