Gladys Law 1938-2024
In her true independent spirit, our mom exploded out of the chains of Lewey Body Dementia and rocketed into heaven on the Fourth of July.
Gladys M. (Krogman) Law, 85, of Topeka, passed away on Thursday, July 4, 2024, at Brookdale Nursing Home in Topeka. Gladys Mary Krogman was born on Christmas Eve 1938, the daughter of Martin and Clara (Osterhaus) Krogman. She spent most of her first decade in Nemaha County, but they moved to the farm two miles East of Holton when she was nine.
She graduated from Denison High School in 1956 and immediately moved to Topeka the following day. She spent the night at the YWCA, and the next day she found an apartment, a roommate and a job at National Reserve Life. She was always great at accomplishing things quickly.
Gladys was smitten with Frank Law, and when he announced that he was joining the United States Army in 1957, she told him that he better marry her now, because she wouldn’t be around when he got back. Never one to doubt her word, Frank proposed, and they were married on July 27, 1957. It was a lifelong love affair that produced two children and three grandchildren; Mark, his wife Donna and their children, Brady and Hannah; and Carrie, her husband Travis and her son, Ian.
Gladys was never “just” a homemaker. She was an amazing mom and grandma who spent lots of time caring for her kids; a talented seamstress who made Frank’s suits and Carrie’s dresses; an excellent cook; the best Room Mother and Cub Scout Den Mother ever; and she spent a large portion of her time giving to her church — Pleasant Hill UMC — sharing her time and her talents. Gladys loved the Lord, and she never ran out of hugs and “I Love You’s” when it came to her family and friends.
She studied oil painting in her thirties and created a wonderful legacy for her family. In 1979, she decided to return to the outside working world and joined the staff of Seaman High School as the secretary for the west side. She loved her co-workers and enjoyed spending time with the kids.
Gladys retired in 1995 so she and Frank could spend time traveling, playing and “junking” for antiques. Gladys collected antique Santas and vintage jewelry- especially slide chains. She was also known as the “Jewel-Tea-Lady” for many years. Gladys was somewhat of a pool shark and enjoyed winning at Texas Hold’em.
She is also survived by her sister, Mary Ann Turner (Roger) of Dening, N.M.; 16 nieces and nephews; many great-nieces and nephews; two stepgrandchildren, Eric Patch (Jenna) and Adam Patch (Misty); 6 stepgreat grandchildren, Landon, Hayden, Karsyn, Easton, Cooper and Milly; and a brother-in-law, Bill Barrow of Denison.
She was preceded in death by her husband of more than 54 years; two sisters, Alice Doyle-Lindemuth and Judy Barrow; and two brothers, Bob and Paul Krogman.
Our family sincerely thanks Gladys’ amazing “other family” of caregivers at Brookdale for their loving care and devotion to our mom.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, July 8 at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial will follow in Holton Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 7 at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church in Topeka (4525 N.W. Button Rd.). Gladys will lie in state from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
Memorials may be given to the Midland Care Hospice or the Pleasant Hill UMC, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
