Gladys Vera Cree

Gladys Vera Cree, 87, of Topeka, passed away on Thursday, July 30, 2009 at a Topeka care facility. She was born on June 18, 1922 in Falls City, OR, the daughter of Ray and Clara Wege Weston. She spent most of her life in the Topeka area, having attended Topeka High School and graduating from Berryton High School. She then pursued a career in photography and was employed by Rembrandt Studios of Topeka. After her marriage to Glenn R. Cree, Gladys moved to the Big Springs community where she resided until 1979 when she returned to Topeka. Gladys was also employed by Topeka public schools until her retirement in 1988. She attended both Big Springs United Methodist Church and First Assembly Of God Church where she served as the church librarian. Survivors include her children, Marilyn (Leigh) Heilman of New Ulm, MN; Gary (Paula) Cree of Naperville, IL; Randy (Nancy) Cree of Big Springs, KS; five grandchildren, Jenny (Reid) Rabon, Melissa (Michael) Bortnick, Janelle (Aaron) Broderick, Robert and Carrie Cree, three great-grandchildren, Morgan and Chloe Bortnick, Nolan Rabon and her cousin, Mary Kasiska. She was preceded in death by one grandson, Bradley Heilman in 2000. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday at the Big Springs United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery. Gladys will lie in state and the family will receive friends from 4:00-6:00 p.m. today at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. Memorial contributions may be given to the Big Springs United Methodist Church, 96 Hwy. 40, Lecompton, KS 66050, to First Assembly Of God Church, 500 SW 27th St., Topeka, KS 66611, to Helping Hands Humane Society, 2625 NW Rochester Rd., Topeka, KS 66617 or to World Vision Ministries.