Gladys was born in Claresholm on October 8,1930, the second child of six to Viggo and Elna Norgard. The family lived in town behind her father’s blacksmith shop. When Gladys was 14, the family moved to a farm northeast of Claresholm and becoming a farm girl suited her just fine.
Gladys attended school, grades 1 to 12, in Claresholm. She was a keen learner and a good student. In 1949, her last year of high school, she enrolled in a Normal school to become a teacher. She loved reading, writing and geography, but her big love was children. She had some practice because when she was 13 years of age, her little sister Leona was born, and Gladys loved looking after her and teaching her everything she could. The Normal school took her to the big city of Calgary, a shocking change, but she took it in stride.
Her first teaching job was on the Rocking P Ranch 25 miles west of Nanton, a one-year position teaching correspondence to Dorothy and Ernie Blades’ 3 children. Afterwards, she decided to go back to further her education at the Calgary Business College to become a Secretary. Gladys returned home on weekends to take a break from the city. She attended a dance at the local hall on Saturday night, November 9, 1951, where a handsome cowboy, George Sutcliffe, asked her to dance. They walked to the barn near the Queens Hotel during the midnight lunch break to feed his small Sorrel gelding “Little Paunch”. Upon entering the stall, Paunch gently laid his head on her shoulder. She fell in love with him first.
Gladys and George were married on September 20, 1952. Sharing the life of a Rodeo Cowboy/Horse trainer involves moving around a lot! As far south as Lano, California, as far north as Edmonton and everywhere in between. George’s nickname was “Suitcase”. 
Their first daughter Sherry-Dale was born on April 23, 1954. Gladys continued to go on the road with George, but when Donna Rae was born 22 months later, on May 30, 1956, Gladys decided it was time to stay closer to home. Six years later, Daryl George was born on July 3, 1962. It was a very happy day! In 1969 the family settled back in Claresholm. Gladys was delighted to be home. She worked as a housekeeper at the General Hospital and for Don Jess Accounting before becoming the secretary at Claresholm Elementary School. She loved that job, and everyone loved her.
George passed away in 1989. After healing her broken heart, she continued to work and did some travelling. She gave so much to her family and community. She never remarried.  
Gladys saw the beauty in everything; she loved to play her piano, sing in the community choir, read and write and visit. She loved birdwatching on her long walks while picking up garbage. She always carried a plastic bag in her pocket! Gladys volunteered for 30 years at the Auxiliary Hospital and the Porcupine Hills Lodge. She deeply cared for her hometown, and her hometown cared for her and honoured her with Citizen of the Year in 2006 and in 2012 she was awarded the Queen Diamond Jubilee medal. Gladys will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her.
The family would like to thank Doctor Leishman, Claresholm General Hospital and Home Support for their care.
A Funeral Service will be held at the Claresholm United Church Monday, May 29 at 1:30 pm. Followed by lunch and a Celebration of Life at the Claresholm Community Centre at 3:00 pm.
Gladys is preceded in death by her parents, Viggo and Elna Norgard; her husband, George Sutcliffe and eldest daughter, Sherry-Dale Orge (Sutcliffe); her brothers Henry, Ken (Mada), and Jack Norgard (Donna); and her sister Joan Alm (Murray).
Gladys is survived by her sister Leona Smith (Don); daughter, Donna Konsorado (Bill) and son Daryl Sutcliffe; son-in-law, Brad Orge (Marianne); all her loving grandchildren: David Orge (Ashley), Leah Lewis (Damon), Marci Purdon (Alistair), Kyle (Aurora) and Dayne Sutcliffe, Jesse Herda (Moby), and Eli Konsorado (Kendra); great grandchildren: Alena, Chloe, Viggo, Heidi, Axe, Ruby, Aeden,Silas, Scarlet and Avonlea. Gladys also had many nieces, nephews, and friends galore, all of whom she loved dearly.
Most people who know me, know my biggest role model in my life, besides my Mom, was my Gram. She taught me everything I know about being kind, forgiveness, strength and perseverance, helping others, loving unconditionally, finishing what you start, and never giving up. She always told me, “Marci, a good reputation is better than great riches”. That always stuck with me, and she was right! She would also tell me if you help others, you’ll forget about how sad you feel when things get hard in life. 
She taught all of us kids how to make Danish Pebernødder and Aebleskivers. She was very proud of her Danish heritage. Her fried egg sandwiches were the best! She wrote stories for my sister and me about the bunnies she made us out of my Grandpa’s old socks. She encouraged us to read and learn new things. To never want for more than you need. To hang the laundry on the line because the fresh air made everything smell so good. She always stopped to take in a beautiful view. She loved the prairies and the foothills. She was an amazing gardener. My cousins and I used to get a penny for each potato bug we picked from her potato plants. She loved lilacs, sweet peas and peonies. She always had a fresh bouquet of flowers from her garden on her table. 
There were always freshly baked cookies in the cookie jar. Gladys (Gram) gave the best “rockin’ hugs” ever! Sometimes nearly crushing your bones from hugging so hard. I loved being shipped away every summer to stay with her in Claresholm. Her home is where I always found comfort and stability. 
Gladys (Gram) was 92 and lived independently right up to the very end, with her memory fully intact. Only a few people get to have their Grandma as long as I did. I’m beyond blessed to have experienced her unreal love for 44 whole years. I’m finding a lot of comfort in knowing how many lives she touched and how much love she spread wherever she went. We always ended every phone call with “Love you, love you, love you!”
Always and forever, your little Marcelainey.