Gladys Jean Kurpjuweit, beloved wife of
Alvin Kurpjuweit of Medicine Hat, passed away on Tuesday,
September 18, 2018 at the age of 76. She leaves to cherish
her memory two sons, David (Jennifer) and their children
Justin, Matthew, and Evan; Dean (Sasha) and their children
Reagan, Mya, and Sophie; as well as one sister, Marlene
Malach; one brother-in-law, Craig (Lois) Kurpjuweit; and
numerous nieces and nephews. Gladys was predeceased by her
parents, Thelma and Alvin Gill; one brother, Norman; and one
sister, Grace, in infancy.
Gladys was born in Leader, Saskatchewan on April 26, 1942.
Along with her siblings and parents, Gladys spent a great
deal of time with her Gill cousins, aunts, and uncles until
her family moved to Medicine Hat in 1957. Gladys graduated
from Medicine Hat High School and Garbutts College with a
Secretary Diploma. Upon graduation, she worked as the
secretary to the Mayor of Medicine Hat. Gladys and Alvin
Kurpjuweit were married on August 3, 1963 and enjoyed a
loving marriage for 55 years. Their first son David was born
in 1968, and followed by Dean in 1972. After moving to
Cranbrook, BC for two years, the family moved to Edmonton in
1974. Once David and Dean were both in school full-time,
Gladys resumed working as a secretary at the family’s home
church. David and Jennifer were married in 1994, and Dean
and Sasha followed in 1996, resulting in Gladys finally
reaching gender-balance in the family, which continued with
the blessing of three grandsons and three granddaughters.
Gladys and Alvin returned to their home city of Medicine Hat
in 1996. Gladys worked for a number of years at Hillcrest
Church, while Alvin took over the family ranch. The last 10
years of Gladys’ life were filled with travel, wintering in
Arizona, as well as time with family and friends.
Gladys was a talented painter and sketcher, an avid reader,
a proud and interested parent and grandparent, and an
adoring wife. She was a caregiver to her mom, a kind aunt to
her nieces and nephews, and a loving sister. While she had
numerous friends, she was able to maintain a deep and
meaningful relationship with each of them. She was
courageous in first dealing with her Parkinson’s diagnosis
and later her cancerous brain tumour. Gladys maintained a
positive and grateful attitude through the trauma of the
last year. She was dedicated to Jesus, her Saviour and Lord.
She will be greatly missed.
Alvin, David and Dean are especially grateful to Karen from
homecare and the staff at St. Joseph’s home for their care
of Gladys.
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