Gladys (Anderson) Damrose

Gladys E. Damrose, 91, beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, niece and friend, was escorted from Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center to heaven in Jesus arms on January 12, 2021.

Gladys E. (Anderson) Damrose was born on May 16, 1929 to Albert and Ida (Oftedahl) Anderson at their home in Providence Township, Lac qui Parle County, MN where her father was a blacksmith for many years. She was baptized and confirmed at the Dawson Covenant Church in rural Dawson. She attended country school in District #38 in Providence Township and graduated from Dawson High School in 1947. She graduated from Teacher Training School in Montevideo, MN in 1948 and North Park Junior College in Chicago, IL in 1950.

On June 27, 1953 Gladys was united in marriage to Albert A. Damrose at the Dawson Covenant Church. Gladys and Al presented the world with four well-loved children: Barbara Jean, Rebecca Ann, Laura Lou and Mark Eric.

Gladys enjoyed sewing, reading, singing, cooking, baking (always being sure to burn a few cookies for Al – as he expressed a love of the burnt cookies in their early marriage), knitting mittens and hats for grandchildren and the Springfield Rescue Mission, puzzles, games, and most of all loved Jesus and her family. She was a gracious hostess, welcoming all to her table, and especially was a friend and refuge for the hurting and otherwise rejected. Gladys taught in a one-room schoolhouse, was a Pastor’s wife (and all that goes with that), together with Al she was a houseparent at Chapin Hall “The Chicago Nursery and Half Orphan Asylum,” a long-term foster parent and was also designated as an emergency foster home for temporary placement. From its earliest days, Gladys and Al played a large role in the development of Pilgrim Pines Camp and Conference Center. Gladys also was an ESL teacher for the Hispanic community in Westfield, and a Cub Scout Den Mother. She was a leader of Covenant Women and a Ladies Aid participant at several churches. Gladys spent 27 years ministering in the Springfield Evangelical Covenant Church in Massachusetts. One of her favorite activities was rocking babies during MOPs meetings. In addition, she spent almost 27 years participating in ministries at Broadway Covenant Church in Rockford, IL, where she was part of the Circle of Concern.

She is survived by her husband Al Damrose; children: Barb (Steve) Wood of Lombard, IL; Becky of Rockford, IL; Lauri (Greg) Moore of Harrisburg, PA; Mark (Julie) of Streamwood, IL; and foster son Dennis Micjenka of Florence, MA; ten grandchildren: Allison Wood, Lynelle (Nathan) Overturf, Christopher Damrose, Peter, Andrew (Kristy), Philip Moore, Sarah (Tim) Gridley, and Nathanael Moore; Nathan and Michael Damrose; two great grandchildren: Aiden and Abbigal with the promise of another arriving in May to grandson Andrew and wife Kristy; and special friend, ‘unofficial adopted daughter’ Marthes Kingambo and family.

Preceding her in death were her parents; sisters Veloris and husband Wallace Miller, Lauraine and husband Lloyd Hanson, brothers Donald and wife Margaret Anderson, and Raymond Anderson; niece Elaine Miller DeJesus, and nephews Richard Miller and Keith Hanson; and her brother-in-laws Richard and Robert and his wife Edna Damrose.

A memorial service will be held at Broadway Covenant Church at a later date. Graveside- Committal service will be held in Dawson Covenant Cemetery, Dawson, MN on January 18, 2021. Memorial gifts in lieu of flowers may be made to Broadway Covenant Church (via a separate note directing funds toward: Paul Carlson Partnership Fund) 3525 Broadway, Rockford, IL 61108.