Gladys Joy Johnson, 77, of North Platte, NE, passed away Sunday, May 19, 2013, at Linden Court in North Platte.

Gladys was born June 6, 1935, at Cozad, NE to John Henry and Violet Mae Lanham Pebley. She grew up in various Nebraska communities and graduated from North Platte High School in 1953. She then went to work for Woolworth’s Five and Dime Store before getting married.

On December 24, 1961, Gladys married Fred “Fritz” Johnson in North Platte where they made their home. Along with raising her own two daughters, Gladys did childcare for 40 years, retiring in 2007. During this time she took care of kids too numerous to count.

Gladys was a member of Valley Christian Church and enjoyed church activities. She loved the Huskers and spending time with her family. She was also an avid bell collector and enjoyed knitting. Gladys had a great love for children.

Survivors include her daughters, Melody (Mike) Ziegler, of Destin, FL and Melisa (Calvin) Davidson, of North Platte; four grandchildren, Jessica and Justin Ziegler and Callie and Carter Davidson; two sisters, Verla (Richard) Moore, of Colorado Springs, CO and Sarah “Ginny” Herold, of Cozad, NE; brothers-in-law, Delbert Greeley and Bud (Barb) Johnson, of North Platte; a sister-in-law, Joan Johnson, of Colorado; several nieces, nephews and other family.

Gladys was preceded in death by her husband, Fred “Fritz”, in 1991; her parents, John and Violet Pebley; a brother, Lonnie Pebley; her sister, Dorothy Greeley; brothers-in-law, Amos Johnson and Ivan Johnson; and her sisters-in-law, Irma (Encil) Kiser, Cora (Pat) Holley and Fern Jenkins.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Friday, May 24, 2013, at the Valley Christian Church with Pastor Brent Montgomery officiating. Burial will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. with family greeting friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com. Memorials are suggested to the Playground Fund at Valley Christian Church. Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.