Obituary of Gladdy Bomgren

Gladdy Millar (Remelius) Bomgren was born to Mary (Fleming) and John Jacob Remelius, VI on June 22, 1930, in Flushing, New York. She joined her Heavenly Father on August 16, 2013 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Gladdy grew up in Bayside, New York. At the age of 16, she began a successful career as a New York City fashion model, which was ended on April 22, 1950 when she married a handsome young Lutheran pastor, Linne Vincent Bomgren. The following year, Gladdy and Vincent moved to Hallandale, Florida where Vince accepted a call as the pastor of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. It was here that their daughter, Nancy, was born. Two years later, the family moved to Miami, Florida, where Vince pastored Bethel Lutheran Church. On Gladdy's birthday in 1957, the family moved to Houston, Texas where Vince was headquartered as a Home Missionary with the national Augustan Lutheran Church. During their time in Houston, Gladdy took art classes at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and was selected to be the very first volunteer to work in an emergency room anywhere in the United States, volunteering at Jefferson Davis County Hospital. In April 1963, the family moved to Dallas, Texas where Vince was headquartered as Regional Secretary for the national Lutheran Church in America and Gladdy worked as his secretary. In the fall of 1968, the family moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma when Vince accepted a call to First Lutheran Church. In each parish, Gladdy graciously supported Vince and serviced her Lord as the pastor's wife, serving as Sunday School and Vacation Bible School director and teacher and as the parsonage hostess. In Tulsa, Gladdy served on the Board of Directors for Birmingham House and the first Board of Directors of The Margaret Hudson Program. She developed relationships with grocery stores and secured food donations for The Manna Bowl, a ministry of First Lutheran Church from 1982-84 to assist those who were out of work but looking for a job. Her work with young drug-addicts from 1968-1971 was instrumental in the formation of Youth Services of Tulsa. In 1981, she earned her real estate license and worked with Patterson Realty, McGraw-Breckenridge Realtors, and finally the family-owned The House Store, Inc. An amazing homemaker and the consummate hostess, Gladdy was known for her beautiful dinner and poolside parties that always included her delicious homemade breads. She was witty and full of life, one of those indestructible people. She loved people and her favorite pastime was people-watching. We truly thought we would have her forever. Gladdy will be missed by many. "I love you so much it hurts," was the frequent expression of Gladdy's love for her family. She kissed away our boo-boos, "the big bed" was always a place of solace for her grandchildren, and summers were spent in her backyard and swimming pool. Her husband preceded Gladdy in death. She is survived by her daughter, Nancy (Bomgren) Bolzle (Bruce), grandsons Jonathan Belzley (Susanna), Seth Belzley (Cody) and Aaron Bolzle, great-grandchildren Elizabeth and Cooper Belzley, children of Cody and Seth, and nephew John Remelius. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be given to The Margaret Hudson Program, Youth Services of Tulsa and LIFE Senior Services of Tulsa.