Gladys Marie Allen

Gladys Marie Allen, 107, died Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, at Redbud Village, Plainville, of COVID-19.

She was born Sept. 12, 1913, in Plainville, to Wallace and Mae Anna (Cronin) Phillips.

On April 23, 1938, in Plainville, she married her dance partner and best friend Thomas C. Allen, a printer and linotype operator at The Plainville Times. They rode a train through dust storms to honeymoon in Colorado.
Tom and Gladys were married 63 years before he died on Nov. 5, 2001.

Growing up, she learned to cut hair at her dad’s barber shop in Tipton, cherished a family trip to Estes Park, Colo., and was a whiz in physics at St. Boniface High School, Tipton.

As a mom, she enjoyed sewing all the clothes for her family and her daughters’ Barbies, as well as hand-making quilts for everyone. She closely followed the travels and adventures of her five children.

She was very active with Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Plainville, and enjoyed her friendships with the ladies in the Daughters of Isabella, the Guild, and her quilting circle.

Gladys loved flowers and especially pansies and lilacs. She liked root beer floats, browsing for hours for fabric and patterns, laughing, and caring for her grandchildren. She made the best lemon meringue pie of anybody.
Three of her favorite things to say were: “Will you stay for supper?”; “It’s so good to see you”; and “Let’s don’t and say we did.”

Besides her husband, Tommy, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Mary E. Allen; her son-in-law, John M. Edmonds; a great-granddaughter, Caroline E. Smith; her brother and sister-in-law, Harry D. and Louise (Gardner) Phillips; and her sister and brother-in-law, Doris M. and Harlan Gilbert.

Survivors include two daughters, Sister Marcia Allen, Concordia, and Margaret Allen, Hays; and two sons, Michael Allen and wife, Paula, Douglas, Ga., and John Allen and wife, June Knittel, Hays; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Following cremation, arrangements are pending.

Condolences may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd St., Plainville, KS 67601.