Hograbe, Gladys Birdeen (Leymaster)

Gladys Birdeen (Leymaster) Hograbe, 93, of Cedar Rapids, died Thursday, May 9, 2013, at Cottage Grove Place. Services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 14, at Lovely Lane United Methodist Church, with visitation one hour before the service. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, May 13, at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories.

Gladys was born at home on the farm on Sept. 24, 1919, in rural Stockham, Hamilton County, Neb., to Robert Stewart Leymaster and Tillie Lydia (Groelz) Leymaster. She attended country school, graduated from Aurora High School and took teacher's training. She was a teacher in country schools in Nebraska and Iowa until her marriage.

Gladys married Harry Hograbe on June 1, 1948, at First EUB Church in Cedar Falls. They farmed in rural Dows until moving to Cedar Rapids in 1951 when Harry went to work for Collins Radio.

Gladys will be remembered for her deep faith, positive outlook on life, listening ear, and “one day at a time, Lord, one day at a time” attitude. She and Harry moved to Cottage Grove Place 16 years ago. Gladys was involved in many activities there, first in the independent living area and for the past two years in the care center.

Gladys was a charter member of Lovely Lane United Methodist Church, where she attended Bible study for many years, was a member of the United Methodist Women, and held several offices in the church. She was a member of the Social Order of the Beauceant, The King's Daughters, and El Kahir Shrine Auxiliary.

Gladys and Harry loved to take road trips and travel abroad. Their favorite place was Switzerland.

Gladys was preceded in death by her husband, Harry, on Feb. 10, 2013; her parents; an infant brother, Robert; and sister-in-law, Maxine Leymaster.

Gladys is survived by daughters, Linda Osburn (Paul Hardenberg) of Garrison, Minn., and the Rev. Ruth Hograbe (the Rev. Duane Lookingbill) of Annandale, Minn.; two grandchildren; brother, Ralph Leymaster (Mary Rousselow) of Waterloo; brother-in-law, Robert (Shirley) Hograbe of Sheffield; honorary grandchildren; and friends of all generations.

Memorials may be directed to Lovely Lane UMC.

Online condolences may be directed to under Obituaries.

Published May 12, 2013 in The Gazette