Gladys Marie (Bracken) Ellis, age 88, died Thursday, October 10, 2013 at the Morton County Care Center in Elkhart, Kansas. She was born on April 14, 1925 in Rogersville, Missouri, the daughter of William Thomas and Lillian Rosella (Cox) Bracken.

Gladys lived in the rural area of Rogersville, Missouri (Christian County) until she was seven years old. Moving with her family, she attended schools in Parsons and Dennis, Kansas, and graduated from Preston High School in Preston, Missouri in April 1942. She then attended college and began teaching in rural schools until 1948. She returned to Panhandle State University and completed a B.S. Degree in Elementary Education in 1960. She taught school in Hugoton, and Elkhart. Gladys married Lando Lauren Ellis on May 11, 1962 in Hugoton, Kansas. After retiring from teaching in 1988, she did book work for Elkhart Hot Oil Company, which she was a co-owner of, until 1991. Gladys was a member of the Friends Church near Hugoton, Kansas from 1945-1962, Bible Baptist Church and Hillcrest Baptist Church both of Elkhart, a life member of V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary, BPW, Pride Program, Chamber of Commerce, State Board of Kansas PBW Club, E.S.U., Delta Kappa Gamma, KSTA teachers organization, NEA, Hospital Auxiliary, Girl Scout Leader, Sunday School teacher, served on the Morton County Historical Society, Bowling Teams, Elkhart City Council, Whistle Stop Park Secretary, Elkhart Senior Center, Ambassador Club, Point Rock Campers and Santa Fe Trail Association.

Gladys is survived by daughter, Shirley Burnett and husband Tom of Elkhart, Kansas; sons, Rick Ellis and wife Ardith of St. Charles, Missouri, Gary Ellis and wife Phyllis of Elkhart, Kansas, Cary Ellis and wife Shauna of Buena Park, California, Tim Ellis and wife Trish of Glendale, Arizona; 13 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lauren; sister, Dorothy Hamilton; and brother, Charles Bracken.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, October 14, 2013 at Garnand Funeral Home Chapel in Elkhart, Kansas with Pastor Terrell Giddens officiating. Friends may call Sunday, October 13, 2013 from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home in Elkhart, Kansas. The family requests memorials be given to the Elkhart High School Athletic Fund or Elkhart Elementary School in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 854, Elkhart, KS 67950.