A wonderful woman passed away a few weeks ago. She was a regular reader of the Daily Umbrella, a free paper industry icon, and a good friend.

Her name was Gladys Van Drie. Some people pronounced her first name with the “s,” some without it. Gladys didn't correct people either way. She chose to use her words for matters she deemed more important. The “s” may have been silent, but Gladys wasn’t. She was considerate, yet confident. Soft-spoken, but strong-hearted. Political, but not pushy.

Gladys and her husband, Rudy, owned shopper publications in Story and Boone counties in Iowa. Many years later, after she sold them, I managed the Boone County publication. Her photo was on a wall in the building. I hope it still is. During the time when I was managing that publication, I never met her, but the staff who worked for Gladys frequently spoke fondly of her.

Years later, I met her at an industry national conference. We hit it off right away on a variety of subjects. Feeding my ego, Gladys even once told me I had “a cute butt” and then laughed. I didn't know how to respond, and she loved it. My wife, Jolene, was born and raised in Ames in the same neighborhood as the Van Dries. She and Gladys connected on another level as well.

Keep in mind that Gladys was no longer working in the industry, but she attended the national conferences each year, even taking sales training classes and earning her certificate while in her 80s. She was a continual learner.

Gladys told me the story of how she became the manager of the shoppers. Her husband, Rudy, died suddenly of a heart attack in 1976. Gladys was not actively involved in the business at the time. She said after Rudy died, she reached out to folks in the industry and received this advice: “You walk into that office tomorrow morning with confidence and act like you have all the answers. You will figure out.” And, with the help of her industry cohorts, daughters Karen and Karla, community friends and loyal customers, she did. In fact, she operated the Boone County Shopping News and the Ames Advertiser for 16 years before selling them in 1992.

At 87 years old, Gladys was still active and learning, continually asking questions to those around her. She was involved in her Estes Park community, Rotary, the local hospital board and the antiquarians. She would gather around the campfire with Jolene and her girlfriends who would go hiking each year in Colorado. She even met with our staff at Big Green Umbrella Media in Johnston a few years ago, at our request, and shared her inspiring stories.

Gladys called a few months ago to let us know she had terminal cancer with only weeks to live. Jolene took what may have been deemed by many to be a sad call. Gladys wouldn’t let that happen. Jolene hung up the phone smiling, and I am guessing Gladys did, too.

We were planning a trip to Colorado in March, and we were to stop in Estes Park to see Gladys one last time. With more than two feet of incoming snow on its way, we had to change our route and were not able to stop by. “No worries,” Gladys told us. “You can come see me at my Celebration of Life.” She meant that in an honest and kind way, proving once again that the “s” isn’t always silent. And as long as people keep telling the story of Gladys Van Drie, it never will be.

Have a memorable Monday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com

See Shane Goodman's previous columns here.

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SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

The answer to yesterday's riddle:

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Today's riddle

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Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

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Angela Ossian
Account Executive
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angela@iowalivingmagazines.com

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