Gladys Dora Wilding

Gladys Dora Wilding, 89, of College Station, Texas passed away peacefully on November 22, 2023.  During the last seven years, she experienced many health challenges including an aortic tear, stroke, degenerative heart disease, and heartbreak after losing her cherished husband, Larry, after 62 years of marriage.  The family is grateful that God sustained her through each challenge. A beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend, she will be deeply missed.

Gladys was born in Flandreau, Moody County, South Dakota on July 29, 1934, to Charles Giles Milne and Bertha Dora (Paulsen) Milne.  She was the youngest of two children and worked hard alongside her brother, Everett G. Milne, and their parents to maintain the family farm. She attended a one room schoolhouse through elementary school and later graduated from Flandreau High School. She faithfully attended her high school reunions until 2019 and maintained many dear friendships from her hometown. As a young girl, Gladys enjoyed raising chickens, cooking, sewing, and attending movies. She won a statewide 4-H competition with a stylish dress she designed and sewed. She then represented South Dakota in a national competition in Chicago.

She went on to attend South Dakota State University, majoring in Home Economics.  During her sophomore year she experienced the heartbreaking loss of her mother, yet she pressed on to finish her degree while helping her father on the farm. After her graduation Gladys spent the summer in Scotland with her dad visiting relatives and meeting her future stepmother, Evelyn.

During her time at South Dakota State University, Gladys met her beloved husband, Lawrence "Larry" P. Wilding. They married after graduation in 1956 and started their life together. Gladys worked as a schoolteacher while Larry earned his master’s degree in Soil Science. They welcomed their first child, Linda, to the world during this time. Their next move was to Urbana, Illinois where Larry received his Ph.D. and their next two children, Doris and Charles, were born. Their growing family then moved to Columbus, Ohio where Larry joined the Agronomy department at The Ohio State University. While there, their youngest child, David, was born.

In 1976, the family made their final move to College Station, Texas when Larry accepted a position in the Soil and Crop Sciences Department at Texas A&M University. Gladys faithfully partnered with Larry throughout his career as a world-renowned leader in his field, as she often hosted international students and professionals for holidays and department events. She was also a co-founder and avid participant in a university-affiliated gourmet group. Her family remembers her wonderful meals including Scottish mince and potatoes, oatcakes, cinnamon rolls, and lasagna.  Her recipes were so well loved, they were made into a cookbook by one of her granddaughters.

Larry and Gladys faithfully served their church community at First Presbyterian Church in Bryan. This commitment instilled in their children the value of gathering with others to worship God.

Larry and Gladys traveled the world, often for work related events, invitations, and speaking engagements. Frequent trips were made to South Dakota and Scotland to visit family and friends. Especially enjoyable was their second home in New Hampshire which boasted spectacular fall foliage and apples. When at home, Gladys enjoyed gardening, sewing, playing bridge, and supporting Aggie football. She was an avid collector of treasured items, ranging from roosters, antique clocks, to beanie babies. After retiring, Larry and Gladys opened their home as a bed and breakfast for visitors to Aggieland. The family is deeply grateful for a life defined by commitment, generosity, hospitality, and selfless service.

Gladys had many devoted caregivers in her last seven years. The family is especially grateful to Glenda Stone and Mary Sanders who were faithful companions ensuring the best care for Gladys. Special thanks to the staff at Isle of Watercrest and Legacy Nursing and Rehabilitation in Bryan, Texas.  

Gladys is survived by her children, Linda Kirschenman and her late husband Terry, Doris Hermann and her husband Karl, Charles Wilding and his wife Laura, David Wilding and his wife Michelle; grandchildren Mark Kirschenman, Susan Cool and her husband Nicholas, Christine Borowski and her husband Kyle, Heather Hermann, Victoria Hermann, Stewart Wilding and his wife Lauren, Katie Strain and her husband Luke, Scott Wilding and his wife Emily, Grace Wilding, Hope Wilding; and great-grandchildren Jack Strain, Ethan Strain, James Wilding, Bradley Wilding, Cora Cool and Kinsey Wilding. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Jean Milne, stepsister Evelyn Smith, and numerous nieces and nephews. Additionally, she is survived by Ignacio Fernandez-Montez (a foreign exchange student who Larry and Gladys loved as a son) and wife Maria.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to the Texas A&M Foundation, 401 George Bush Drive, College Station, Texas 77840. Please designate the Larry and Gladys Wilding International Student Travel Scholarship (#35065) in the memo line of the check or online at https://www.txamfoundation.com/give.aspx?c_id=2&d_id=14&sd_id=1858

Family and friends are invited to watch Gladys's funeral service live from the First Presbyterian Church YouTube page using the following link:  

https://youtube.com/@firstpresbyterianchurchofb5205?si=YzNx1Z8v-BoyLj93