Obituary

Gladys Mae Meier, 92, passed away January 25, 2025 at the Urbandale Health Care Center. She was born in rural Bremer County, Iowa on February 14, 1932 to Carl and Selma (Reimler) Meier.

Gladys attended the rural schools in Bremer County and graduated from Sumner High School in 1950. After graduating from Iowa State Teachers College (now UNI) in 1954 she taught school for several years in California and across Iowa. In 1962 she received a Master’s Degree in Business Education from the University of Iowa. In 1963, Gladys became one of the first two women hired in the computer department at Equitable of Iowa and worked there for 27 years before retiring as a senior programmer in 1990. In 2018, Gladys was an inaugural inductee into the Women of UNI Business Hall of Fame.

Gladys enjoyed many hobbies including sailing, traveling and attending the activities of her nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. Her extensive travels over the years took her to the Arctic Circle in 1967 and to Antarctica in 2010, and much of the world in between. Highlights of her travels were frequent sailing trips to Barbados and sailing a windjammer off the coast of Maine while in her 70s. Gladys was also an avid volunteer giving her time to local non-profits and her church.

Gladys is survived by her nephews, Brian, Craig and Bruce Wiebke; and many great-nephews and great-nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Genevieve.

Visitation will be 4:00-6:00 PM on Friday, April 4, 2025 at Iles Westover Chapel, 6337 Hickman Road, Des Moines, IA. Graveside service will be at Noon on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at Zion Cemetery, rural Sumner, IA.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed to the Science Center of Iowa in Des Moines or Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4114 Allison Avenue, Des Moines.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.IlesFuneralHomes.com

Arrangements by Iles Westover Chapel

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