Gladys Pasch

GLADYS MAXINE (HELGELAND) PASCH

Fairfield

Gladys Maxine (Helgeland) Pasch left this world on Nov. 9, 2019, just shy of her 90th birthday. Gladys was born Nov. 21, 1929, in Humbolt, Iowa, to Anna and Sigvart Helgeland. She married her beloved husband, Gerald "Lefty" Pasch, on Sept. 4, 1949, in Fairfield, Iowa.

Gladys was preceded in death by her husband, Lefty; an older sister, Bernice; and a younger brother, Merle. She is survived by one sister, Sonja Sanderson of Fort Dodge, Iowa; one daughter, Karen Armstrong of Kirksville, Mo.; and one son, Perry Pasch of Fairfield, Iowa; five grandchildren, Clint Armstrong of Florida, Kaitlin Settles and Brice Pasch of Fairfield, Kyle and Amayran Pasch of Texas; and four great-grandchildren.

In 1961, Gladys began her career at the Country Day School, where she worked for 10 years until it closed. Gladys started the Fairfield Community Childcare Center at the First Baptist Church in 1971 with the help of the Rev. Jim Stumbo. Gladys became its first director. In 1977, Gladys was recognized as Woman of the Year by the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce. Later she joined her husband's real estate company, Lefty's Real Estate, as a realtor and eventually earned her broker certification. Gladys especially enjoyed helping young families find their first home. She closed the business and retired when she was 80 years old. Gladys was a thoughtful, caring and generous person and quick to speak a kind word or extend a compliment. She loved kids, sunshine and warm temperatures, reading and crossword puzzles and working in her backyard. She loved walking her dog, Daisy, in Chautauqua Park.

A Celebration of the Life for Gladys Pasch will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 26, at Chautauqua Park Shelter #1. All who knew Gladys are invited to share stories, enjoy some of Gladys' favorite snacks and the photos chronicling her life. Donations in Gladys Pasch's memory may be made to the Chautauqua Park Foundation.