Gladys Audrey Owen Roper, 93, of Idaho Falls, passed away at her home surrounded by her loving children, on December 1, 2022.

She was born on September 29, 1929, to Lewis and Ruth Jeffery Owen in Idaho Falls. She was the youngest of five children. Her mother passed away from pneumonia nine months after Gladys was born.

Soon after, Gladys went to Basalt, Idaho to live with her Aunt Berniece and Uncle Zavin Green, where she stayed until the summer of 1941. After her return to Idaho Falls in 1941, she attended O.E. Bell Junior High, then attended Idaho Falls High School and graduated in 1947 at the age of 17.

In 1945 she helped her cousin, Alta, and her husband, John Steffler, clear land that they had purchased near Hebgen Lake, Montana, where they were building a resort. During her senior year of high school, she also worked half days at Montgomery Ward. While working there, she met a handsome soldier named Jay Roper, whom she thought looked so cute in his uniform. They were able to date a time or two before Jay was shipped to Germany. They corresponded during his overseas assignment and after Jay returned home, they were soon engaged to be married.

On August 28, 1948, Gladys and Jay were married in his parents' home. This marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple in June of 1965. To this marriage, six children were born: Jay Jr., Christine, Terry, Susan, Janet, and Vicki. Gladys was a wonderful mother and wife. For two years, she and Jay were foster parents to two of Jay's young cousins. Gladys taught her children the value of work and doing a job without being asked, and the children developed a great love and respect for their mother.

Gladys worked at Sears in the Accounting Department for 18 years before retiring in 1987. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for 52 years and served as Auxiliary President twice, as 7 ^th District President for one year, and served one year as Joint Chairperson for the War Bonnet Roundup Rodeo.

She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as a Visiting Teacher and a Sunday School Teacher. She was also the PTA President of Eagle Rock Elementary School.

Gladys was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Jay, to whom she was married for 69 years; her siblings: Louise Owen, Russell Owen, Floyd Owen, and Berniece Noblitt; granddaughter, Cassidy Roper' a great-granddaughter, McKayla Strahle; and son-in-law, David Strahle.

She is survived by her children: Jay L. (Judith) Roper of Mesa, Arizona, Christine (David, deceased) Strahle of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Terry Roper of Yuma Arizona, Susan (James) Clayton of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Janet Roper of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Vicki (J.R.) Ybarra of Idaho Falls, Idaho; 15 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and one soon-to-be-born great-great-granddaughter.

The family wishes to express their thanks to Hands of Hope Hospice for the loving care they gave our mother.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 9, 2022, at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First Street, Idaho Falls. The family will visit with friends and family one hour prior to services. The interment will be at Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to www.coltrinmortuary.com .