Gladys McCracken, age 81, of Brookings passed away on Monday, Sept. 20, 2021, at the Brookings hospital.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, at First United Methodist Church in Brookings with burial to follow at Greenwood Cemetery. Visitations will be on Thursday from 5-7 p.m. also at First United Methodist Church. Eidsness Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Gladys Elnora McCracken was born on Oct. 30, 1939, in Madison, SD, to Floyd and Carmaleita (Heither) Siegfried. Glady graduated from General Beadle High School in 1957, and later earned an Associates Degree from General Beadle State College (Dakota State University) in 1959.
On Oct. 16, 1959, Glady was united in marriage to William D. McCracken Jr. in Madison.
Throughout her life, Glady held several positions as an administrative assistant, most notably working at the Brookings Clinic as the assistant administrator from February of 1975, until Jan. 4, 2002. Prior to her work at the Brookings Clinic, Glady worked for the Brookings Area Guidance Center, and the Watson Clinic. Following her retirement, she happily worked for her son-in-law for 15 years as his business’s bookkeeper.
Glady was very active in her community, acting as a member of the M.G.M. National Medical Group Management Business, served on the board of directors for the Girl Scouts for many years, participated in Brookings Circle and Swing Square Dance, and was a member of the Legion Auxiliary. Glady also served with the Oak Lake Girl Scout Camp Committee, the Greenwood Cemetery Board, and other volunteer opportunities for many years.
Gladys was also very active within her church, and had been a member of the Brookings First United Methodist Church since 1963. During her time within the church, she served on the finance and SPR committees, participated in the handbell choir from 1975 until 2015, and served with the United Methodist Committee on Relief as a volunteer mission team leader for several years.
Glady had many interests in life, including being a longtime SDSU sports and arts fan – holding season tickets for over 20 years! She also enjoyed reading, knitting, camping, playing board games and cards, and completing puzzles.
Gladys is survived by her children: Bill (Brenda) McCracken and Beth (Ope) Niemeyer; grandchildren: Margo Niemeyer, Carmen Niemeyer (Sam Brovold), Sean McCracken, and Kaitlyn McCracken; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and an overwhelming number of friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband, William D. McCracken Jr.; her parents, Floyd and Carmaleita (Heither) Siegfried; and siblings: Ken (Betty Jean) Siegfried, Neal (June) Siegfried, Betty (Jean) Spang, and Leita (James) Feay.
Memorials may be designated in her memory as you choose. Anything undesignated will be given to church and SDSU programs.
