Life is about showing up. Mom definitely showed up every day of her life. Gladys Ann Wahl Sandvik was born Feb. 28, 1935, and lost her battle with pancreatic cancer on Aug. 13, 2021. She was lucky enough to lead a life of adventures for 86 years in her home in Ocosta, Washington.

She grew up in lower John’s River and then eventually moved to the craftsman home on State Route 105 with her family. She graduated from the original Ocosta High School in 1952 on the Ocosta Hill. She was very proud to have a double promotion from 1st grade to 3rd grade.

Some of mom’s favorite things were soft vanilla ice cream, black licorice, the Shoalwater Casino and her four grandkids.

Gladys graduated from Washington State College in 1956 with an elementary teaching degree. She was proud to be a lifelong member of the Cougar Club. Her first teaching assignment was in the Ocosta School District in the 1956-57 school year. She later retired from the Aberdeen School District in 1998 after 37 years of elementary teaching.

Gladys married Leif Amandus Sandvik in December, 1956. Leif died of colon cancer in 1996. Her parents, Dora Wahl Urbick and Ed Wahl and stepfather, Raymond Urbick, also preceded her in death.

Gladys is survived by her brother, Jon Wahl (Patsy) of Sequim, Washington; daughters, Tonya Sandvik Berg (Larry), Seattle; Lisa Sandvik Sharma, (Hari), Westport; Mia Ann Sandvik Sindell (Ed), Bothell and son, Erik Ray Sandvik, (Nancy), Redwood City, California. She loved every minute with her four grandchildren: Logan, Spencer, Ethan and Sophia.

Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, Washington.

Their will be a small gathering of family and teaching friends in September.