Gladys A. Carson, 89 of Ely, died Tuesday, August 11 at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha following a stroke.  Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 15, 2009 at St. John Lutheran Church, with Reverend Jeff Borgwardt presiding.  Burial will follow in Anderson Cemetery in Swisher.  Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids, temporarily located at 3100 F Avenue NW.

Gladys was born November 23, 1919 in Swisher, the daughter of John and Mary Josifek Kulhavy.  She was a graduate from Shueyville High School.  On November 26, 1941 at First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids, she married Keith E. Carson.  Gladys was actively involved in the Ely community.  Her involvement included the Dorcas Society, Senior Dining, St. John Lutheran Church, Ely Public Library, Friendship Club, Town and Country, TOPS, recognized for a 30 year achievement of KOPS, and a member of Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church in Sun City, Arizona.  Gladys was a 4-H leader for 8 years, a lifelong Republican and poll worker.  She was very proud of her Czech heritage.  Gladys had a big heart and was always there to lend a helping hand.  Faith and family were incredibly important to her.

Gladys is survived by her sons: David (Judie) Carson of Wheatland, John (Julie) Carson of Mission Viejo, California, and Tim (Christine) Carson of Palo; a daughter Marjorie Carson Zach of Cedar Rapids; Grandchildren:  Dennis (Leigh) Carson, Daryl (Julie) Carson, Dani (Willie) Newman and Katie Carson, Joshua and Jenna Zach, Curt and Luke Carson; greatgrandchildren: Janay and Blake and Austin, a brother Milo (Helen) Kulhavy of Casa Grande, Arizona, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Keith E. Carson on July 16, 2005 and a son, Michael Carson, a brother Lumir Kulhavy, and sisters Marie Salon, and L. Irene Swaney.

Memorials may be directed to the family.