Gladys Cohagan, 89, passed away peacefully at Hospitality House in Salida on Wednesday, March 5, 2014.
She was born Dec.12, 1924 in Hordville, Nebraska.
Gladys met the love of her life, Jerry, in grade school. Jerry enlisted in the Army in 1942 and was stationed in San Diego. Shortly thereafter Gladys came by train from Nebraska to San Diego, and they were married in Santa Barbara on July 6, 1943.
Gladys was a strong, independent, and vibrant lady. She began working for Escalon Packers, Inc. in 1949 (now Escalon Premier Brands.) She retired after 41 years in 1990 and after two years came out of retirement to become a consultant for Heinz USA from 1993 to 1995.
She could be described as a natural born leader and socialite. She was a member of the Escalon United Methodist Church since 1951, a Benefactor Member for Escalon Ambulance, member of Escalon Republican Women Federated, Escalon Red Hat Dolls, and President/Life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary #1051 in Ripon.
She loved adventure and her favorite destination was the Hawaiian Islands. She also traveled to Puerto Vallarta, Reno, Las Vegas, and Arizona. She loved spending quiet time at her cabin in Strawberry, CA; which she referenced as “God’s Country.”
Survivors include her daughter Nancy (Earnie) of Modesto, daughter-in-law Jill Cohagan of Forrest Ranch, and June Alexander of Fresno; eight grandchildren, Philip Cohagan, Asheley Shraeder (Jeff), Jason Buckmaster, Allison Diecke (Trent) of San Francisco, Andrea Austin (Adam) of Modesto, Joseph Gonzales (Hannah) of Oregon, Mary Ellen Gonzales Elliott of Missouri, Jonathan and Nathan of Oregon, and 10 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband Gerald (Jerry) Cohagan; parents Arthur and Emelia Carlson; sister Hazel Saunders; brother Ralph Carlson; son Gary Cohagan; daughter Cheryl Gonzales; and two grandsons, Bryan Cohagan and Eric Harvey.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at Escalon United Methodist Church at 1 p.m. on Friday, March 14.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Escalon United Methodist Church at 2000 Jackson Ave., Escalon, CA 95320.
A private burial is planned at Burwood Cemetery.
The Escalon (Calif.) Times
March 12, 2014
