LTC Gladys M. Nelson Augsbach, age 97, a resident of Colorado Springs since 1964, passed away peacefully at The Bridge on July 23, 2013. She had retired after serving her country for over 25 years in the United States Air Force. She is survived by her step-daughters: Karen (and James) Esten of Denver, Colorado, and Helen (and George) Mills of Medford, Oregon, and their children. Gladys loved being called “Grandma” by Michael Mills, Steven Mills, James Esten, and Amy Esten; and “Great-grandma” by Matthew, Audrey, and Allison Mills, and Alexa and Elyse Mills, and Logan Esten.
Gladys Myrabelle Nelson was born on February 24, 1916 in Fergus Falls, Minnesota to the late Martin and Gina Nelson. She was a 1934 graduate of Fergus Falls High School. She then worked as a Legal Secretary, Air Force Field Inspector, Executive and Administrative Officer, Director of Personnel Management, and Director of Administrative Services at various Air Force bases around the U.S.
Gladys was active in churches wherever she was assigned and sang in the choirs of many of them. At Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, where she has been a member since 1964, she sang in the choir, served on church council, and she and her husband were active in the A.L.O.A. Group and enjoyed their many church friendships. She was active in the Meals on Wheels Program for more than 20 years where she and her husband, Bill, volunteered at the Mt. Calvary distribution point once a week. She also enjoyed golfing and travelling.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bill, in November of 2005; and her brother, Tom (and Gina) Nelson.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 30, 2013 at the Shrine of Remembrance “America the Beautiful” Chapel with Air Force honors. A reception will follow the services at the Olympian Plaza Reception and Event Center, 975 South Union Boulevard. Cremation is planned.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Gladys’ memory may be made to Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church or to the Pikes Peak Hospice Foundation.