Obituaries - Thursday, November 12

Gladys L. Olson

September 23, 1930 - November 11, 2026

Gladys Lou (Sexton) Alexander Olson, after being unable to walk the past 3 years due to severe left foot pain and wounds, ran into the arms of her heavenly father pain-free on November 11 at the age of 96. She was in her home surrounded by the love of her daughter and her hospice nurse at the time of her journey to be with those who awaited her in heaven.

Gladys was born on the family farm north of Abilene to Ernest and Naomi (Baldwin) Sexton on September 23, 1930. She graduated from Abilene High School in 1948. She earned a teaching certificate from Kansas State University that summer and started teaching in the Holland Community one-room school house that fall at the age of 18, teaching grades 1-8. She taught there for 2 years before teaching at the Talmage Elementary School for 6 years.

On June 11, 1952, Gladys married Paul Alexander, making their home in Talmage. During Paul’s time in the Army, Gladys moved to Paseo Robles, California to be closer to his training base before he was stationed in Korea. Upon his return from Korea they moved back to Talmage, making that their permanent home until his death in 1975. To this marriage 3 children were born: Jeanette, Michael and Thomas. She later moved to Emporia, meeting and marrying Walter Olson. They made their home in White City, Kansas before moving to Junction City. Gladys loved being near her family and being a grandmother, moving to McPherson followed by a move later to the Kansas City area.

While living in the Talmage Community, Gladys was very involved with the church with roles of pianist, organist and youth choir co-director. Throughout her life she had multiple careers besides that of wife, mother, grandmother and sister. She worked in varying office management roles with the Talmage Coop and Abilene KABI radio station; restaurant manager in Emporia; and wrapped up her career working in the Geary County Appraiser’s Office in Junction City.

Gladys enjoyed being in the kitchen, with specialties of fresh breads and her crispy fried chicken. And if there was a kitchen gadget to be had, she had it, being known as the “Gadget Queen”. She loved teaching, incorporating her desire to educate even in her senior living community, making educational displays on her apartment entry ledge, aka “front porch”. She also enjoyed gardening and her flowers, having a green thumb.

Gladys is survived by her daughter, Jeanette Alexander Boucher (Dana) of Fairway, Kansas and daughter-in-law Annette Zacharias (Michael’s widow) of Windsor, Colorado. Along with 7 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Two weeks prior to her passing, Gladys was blessed to see 5 of her 7 great-grandchildren and their families, giving her such joy and happiness.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Paul Alexander and her second husband, Walter Olson; two sons, Michael Alexander and Thomas Alexander; and brothers Grice Sexton, Bill Sexton and Jack Sexton.

Funeral services will be at 11:00, Monday, November 16 at Martin-Becker-Carlson Funeral Home in Abilene with visitation at 10:00 the same day. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Talmage Historical Society Museum and Library in care of Martin-Becker-Carlson Funeral Home, 414 NW Third St, Abilene.

Martin-Becker-Carlson Funeral Home