Obituary of Gladys Myrtle Groat

With great sadness the family of Gladys Groat announces her passing May 29^th at the Stettler General Hospital following a brief illness at the age of 90.

Gladys was born in Hanna on December 4, 1934 to Karl and Beatrice Laarz, becoming a younger sister to Marian.  Gladys did her schooling in Rose Lynn and Hanna, and moved to Endiang to help Marian at the Endiang Trading Store which led to her meeting the love of her life, local boy John (Jack) Groat.

Jack and Gladys were married October 24, 1954, and enjoyed nearly 60 years together until Jack’s passing in 2013.  Following the birth of their third daughter they moved to Stettler where they enjoyed life to the fullest, with sports and camping being favorite pastimes outside of work.  Gladys was an intense competitor, whether it came to fastball, bowling, golf, or cribbage.  Amongst her many sporting achievements Gladys had a hole in one in competition, and also won a silver medal in the Canada Seniors Games in 2010.

Gladys was a natural born leader with a strong work ethic, and spent several decades working at AGT.  Retirement meant finding new ways to relax and enjoy herself.  Gladys and Jack enjoyed a bucket list trip to Scotland, and Gladys went on a volunteer expedition to Japan, but most of their travel adventures involved camping escapades with the convoy of dear friends, the Green’s, Tucker’s and Schultz’s, the highlight being their trip to Alaska.  In later years bus trips to casinos near by were something Gladys looked forward to.  A lifelong sports fan, she loved watching the Oilers and Blue Jays and her trips with her daughters to Toronto to see Blue Jays games was something she treasured. Most of all she enjoyed cheering on her grandchildren and great grandchildren in their various sports and performances.

Gladys gave selflessly to others and to the community, volunteering  her time coaching her daughters’ ball teams, and with the Alberta Senior Citizens Sport and Recreation Association (ASCSRA), and the Telephone Pioneers Association.

Gladys is survived by her three daughters Beverley (Duane), Colleen (Chuck), and Aileen (Svend), grandchildren Hannah (Curtis), Brad (Kate), Danee (Brent), Dustin (Kora), Danny, Nicole, Dylan, Heather (Dustin), Kristen (Kalem) as well as fifteen great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, extended family and friends.  Gladys was predeceased by her parents Karl and Beatrice, husband Jack, sister Marian and brother-in-law Roy.

As a two time cancer survivor with a strong fighting spirit Gladys maintained her independence until the very end.  The family pays special thanks to the staff at Paragon Place where Gladys resided for the past six years, and to the caring staff at the Stettler General Hospital.  

Celebration of Life

Saturday, June 7, 2025 at 11:00 A.M.

Stettler Funeral Home, Stettler, Alberta

Donations in memory of Gladys are gratefully accepted to the Endiang Cemetery c/o P.O. Box 354 Endiang, Alberta T0J 1G0, Stettler Golf & Country Club c/o 4701-61 Street, Stettler, Alberta T4K 1J4 or a charity of the donor’s choice.