Gladys Marie Leupen, born February 18, 1944, in Bad Axe, Michigan, passed away on January 6, 2025. A Celebration of Life service was held on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Shepherd's House in Lewisville, Texas.

Gladys grew up on a farm in Bad Axe with her parents and her sister, Carolyn. On July 26, 1964, she eloped with the love of her life, Tom Leupen, and later had a church wedding on November 7 of that same year. Together, they began a life filled with adventure, starting with a move to Japan where Tom served in the U.S. Air Force. While in Japan, they welcomed their first two children, Debbie and Derek.

In 1968, the family returned to the United States, where Tom worked again for Ford Motor Company. They lived in Michigan and briefly in New York, where their third child, Leslie, was born in 1976. In 1979, a pivotal moment in their lives occurred when Tom and Gladys committed their lives to Jesus. A few years later, they decided to leave the chilly north and move to Greenville, North Carolina. There, they owned and operated two Baskin-Robbins stores and became active members of their local church.

In 1988, their family grew once more with the adoption of Teresa. Feeling called to share the gospel even more, Tom and Gladys moved to Tyler, Texas, in 1997 to plant a Calvary Chapel church, which they led until 2001.

After relocating to Dallas, Gladys worked alongside Tom at their son Derek's business, Direct to Your Door Advertising, where she contributed her organizational skills and delighted her coworkers with baked treats. In 2007, Anita and her daughter Kaitlin joined the family, further expanding the circle of love.

In 2010, Tom and Gladys retired and moved to Colorado to attend Charis Bible College. There, they met the Hershberger family, welcoming Mary and her six children into their hearts. Following their graduation from Charis, Gladys and Tom embarked on mission's work, traveling to South Africa, Albania, and The Netherlands to share the good news of Jesus. Tom passed away in 2018, and afterward, Gladys made one final trip to The Netherlands.

Gladys was preceded in death by her sister, Carolyn Nelson; her husband, Tom Leupen; her eldest daughter, Debbie Wood; and her son-in-law, Todd Williams.

She is lovingly remembered by her son Derek (Tammy) Leupen, daughter Leslie Leupen, daughter Teresa Williams, and her grandchildren: Lauren (Jacob) Preston, Katie Wood, Blake Wood; Kristen Leupen, Charles (Jamie) Leupen, Dennis Leupen, and Megan (Brandon) Thomas; Johnathan (Clarissa) Williams, and Noah Williams. Her great-grandchildren are Theodore Preston, Gilbert Preston, Sable Leupen, and Beau Williams.

She is also fondly remembered by her honorary children and grandchildren: Anita Joseph (Kaitlin Mundadan), and Mary Hershberger (Ella [Josue] Ibarra, Lena [Zach] Yoder, Jake Hershberger, Sam Hershberger, Dan Hershberger, and Junior Hershberger).

Gladys leaves behind a legacy of faith, love, and kindness, touching the lives of many through her devotion to family and her unwavering commitment to her faith.