Gladys (Tripp) Jean Lenhart, age 101, of Scottsbluff NE passed away peacefully Friday July 21, 2023 at The Residency Care Center with her family by her side.
Gladys was born June 10, 1922 in Mitchell, S.D. to Perry G. & Carey May (Hofmeister) Tripp; she was the 3rd of 5 children. She was raised on farms near White Lake, S.D. with schooling in a 1 room country school thru 8th grade and graduated from White Lake HS in 1939. She attended Huron College, Huron S.D. where she obtained a teaching certificate & taught elementary grades in Britton & Mitchell S.D.
In 1947 she moved to Scottsbluff where she taught elementary at Roosevelt & Bryant schools. She met the love of her life Calvin E. Lenhart at a teachers’ meeting in 1947 & they were married August 7th, 1948. She taught school until 1958 when they adopted son Matthew in May and later adopted daughter Becky in September, 1962.
She was awesomely blessed to have been able to live independently in her home until the afternoon of July 1st of this year. She loved God & she loved people. She was baptized as an infant in the White Lake Presbyterian Church and in 1949 became a member of First Presbyterian Church, Scottsbluff; where she served as an Elder, Deacon, Mariners, Sunday school teacher and women’s association.
She enjoyed volunteer work with Brownies, Cub Scouts, Hospital Auxiliary, Bargain Bin, & was an active member in PEO. She worked for Foster Grandparents program as a field supervisor for 17 years.
She was an avid reader, reading several books a week even in her final years. She loved the library and served on the Scottsbluff Library Board. Her knowledge of words enabled her to quickly solve a daily cross word puzzle with a cup of coffee. She loved creating all types of arts & craft items. Her greatest love of all was Listening & Talking with family & friends.
She was blessed beyond measure with great wisdom & insight which benefited so many. She is survived by son Matthew (Becky) Lenhart, Aurora CO; daughter Becky (Jack) Ward, Scottsbluff NE and grandchildren, Lance, Charles, Wendy, & Albert and great-grandchildren Hanah, Berlyn & Emily.
She was preceded in death by husband Calvin E. Lenhart (2010) & brothers, Perry Jr., James, John & sister Emma Lou.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on September 9, 2023 at 10:00 am at the First Presbyterian Church. A private family graveside service will be at Fairview Cemetery. At her request, cremation has taken place. Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.dugankramer.com for the Lenhart family. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established at Nebraska Children’s Home (NCHS.org/donate/).