Gladys Stille

Gladys Stille passed away peacefully in her home on July 1, 2003, at the age of 97.

Born on January 21, 1906 to Joseph and Elizabeth Bell in Bishop, California, Gladys was one of four children. 
She graduated from Heald's Business College in Los Angeles and returned to work in Bishop. In 1927 she and her family moved to Woodland where she became the bookkeeper for The Mail of Woodland, a local newspaper. Gladys met her husband, Mack Stille, a struggling entrepreneur and founder of the Nugget Markets, at the Woodland Methodist Church. Mack and Gladys were married on December 31, 1928. Their only child, Gene, was born November 11, 1929, just after the stock market crashed. These were difficult times. Gladys returned to work at the Nugget Market in 1935, where she worked as a checker and bookkeeper for more than 50 years. It is doubtful that the Nugget Market would have survived without the contributions of Gladys.

Gladys and Mack also built and developed the Idle Wheel Mobile Home Park, Woodland's first four-star mobile home park. Gladys moved her bookkeeping facilities to Idle Wheel and for years performed the dual job of park manager and bookkeeper, as well as her bookkeeping position with the Nugget. Gladys was dedicated to her family's businesses and worked hard to ensure their success. She worked well past the time most people assume retirement status and thoroughly enjoyed her work. Gladys was also dedicated to her church and community. She was a past Matron of Woodland's Order of the Eastern Star and Treasurer of the Christian Women's Club. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church for many years. Gladys is survived by her son, Gene Stille and his wife Joan; her four grandchildren, Gene Noel Stille, Greg Stille, Anne Bethe Engstrom and Eric Stille, and their spouses, Kelly Stille, Susy Stille, Mark Engstrom and Kate Stille. Gladys also leaves behind 16 great grandchildren and 3 great, great grandchildren. Gladys is also survived by her two brothers and their spouses, Robert and Arlene Bell, Russell and Margaret Bell, and sister-in-law, Helen Bell. Gladys was preceded in death by her husband, Mack Stille, in 1989 and her brother, Leland Bell. Gladys will be greatly missed by her family and many lifelong friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First Baptist Church in Woodland or to the donor's favorite charity. Services are scheduled for Monday, July 7th at 10:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church, 1616 West Street, in Woodland. Pastor Mel Beals will be officiating. Interment at Woodland Cemetery, will immediately follow the service. Kraft Bros. Funeral Directors of Woodland is assisting the family with arrangements. Inquiries may be made by calling 662-4658 or by contacting www.legacy.com

(A photograph of Gladys Stille is included with this obituary.)

Woodland Daily Democrat - Woodland, Yolo County, California 
Saturday, July 5, 2003
Submitted with the permission of the "The Daily Democrat," 711 Main St., Woodland, CA 95695. http://www.dailydemocrat.com/

Transcribed by Peggy Perrazo