Sandra Kay "Sandy" (Lee) Gladden, 62, of Farmington, our beautiful and loving wife, mother and grandmother, passed from this life early Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2011, at her home in Farmington. Sandy was born March 15, 1949, in Phoenix, Ariz., the daughter of Derral Hamblin Lee and Ella Mae (Chesley) Lee. She was raised by Derral and Martha Lee.
Sandy loved the outdoors and worked as a teenager at Mesa Verde National Park appreciating and exploring nature's wonders.
Sandy and John Everett Gladden were married Sept. 22, 1967, in the LDS Temple in Mesa, Ariz. Shortly after their marriage, she moved to Germany with her daughter to be with John while he was in the service.
Sandy and her family then returned to Red Mesa, Colo., area until moving to Farmington in 1973.
She always enjoyed the love and attention of a large family. She was the mother of five children and grandmother of 17 grandchildren whom she loved and adored. Her family was her greatest joy.
Sandy was always quick to join an adventure. She loved family vacations especially if roller coasters were involved. Sandy loved camping with her family. She was an avid reader and enjoyed serving others.
Sandy had a strong testimony of Jesus Christ and was an active and faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many leadership positions throughout her life. She babysat for several different families and then later went to work for Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home as an administrative assistant, helping and serving families at a difficult time.
Sandy was loved by many and will be dearly missed
Sandy leaves behind her husband, John Gladden; sons, Lane (Angie) Gladden, Brett (Melissa) Gladden, Ryan (Sheree) Gladden; daughters, Deanne (Ned) James and Tracy Garrett, and Trent Garrett; her mother, Martha Lee of Mesa, Ariz.; brother, Mike (Karen) Lee; sisters, Donna (Sheldon) Slade, Yvonne (Nathan) Young, Marlene (Gary) Morgan; 17 grandchildren, Nicholas, Isabella and Cadan James, Kelsea (Jonathan) Griffith, Samantha, Camryn, Hannah and Talmage Garrett, Paige, Madison, Jarom and Ian Gladden, Zachary, Trevor, and Alexa Gladden, Everett and Abbey Gladden and many dear friends.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12, at Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home, 103 East Ute St., Farmington.
Services for Sandy will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints, Knudsen Building, 1310 East 25th St. in Farmington, with Bishop Lane Allen conducting.
Sandy will be laid to rest at Red Mesa Community Cemetery in Red Mesa.
Pallbearers are Lane Gladden, Ryan Gladden, Brett Gladden, Ned James, Trent Garrett, and Jonathan Griffith.
Memorial contributions may be made in Sandy's name to the LDS Missionary Fund, 15 E. South Temple, 2nd Floor East Salt Lake City, UT 84150
Those who wish to send condolences may do so at www.danielsfuneral.com.
Sandy's services are entrusted to Brewer, Lee & Larkin Funeral Home, 103 E. Ute St. in Farmington, (505) 325-8688.
Published in Farmington Daily Times from August 11 to August 12, 2011