Gladys Burrell

Gladys H. Burrell, 88, of Bellaire, went to be with her Lord on May 5, 2014 at home.

Gladys was born on April 2, 1926, in Mt. Clemens, MI, the daughter of Arthur and Elsa (Thoel) Ahrens.

On January 26, 1946, she married the love of her life Charlie Burrell. They lived in New Haven, MI, for many years before moving to Bellaire in 1979.

Together, they shared 62 years of marriage and had 5 children.

Gladys was known as a “worry wart” always thinking about her loved ones and was happiest when surrounded by her family and friends.

She enjoyed playing the accordion, dancing the polka, playing bingo and baseball. Her famous phrase to her grandchildren was “I can catch anything”. In her elder years she loved wind chimes, talking on the phone, watching Hee Haw, the Young and the Restless and she recently rediscovered bingo and loved watching the Detroit Tigers.

She was a tremendous cook and loved the color “red” as well as peonies and gladiolas flowers.

She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in New Haven and Hope Lutheran Church in Bellaire. She loved her church and her church family.

Surviving are 3 children, Ronald (Melody) Burrell of Ray, MI, Sandra Sky of Emmett, MI, Susan Burrell of Bellaire, 2 brothers, Roy (Maryann Bogert) Ahrens of Bellaire, Alvin (Marian) Ahrens of Utica, MI, a sister Evelyn (Edgar) Underwood of Shelby Twp., MI, sister-in-law Joann Ahrens of Mt. Clemens, MI, 13 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren with one on the way, 15 great-great-grandchildren with one on the way and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Charles, 2 daughters, Doris Harvey, Janice Francks, her parents, 2 brothers, Harry and Allen Ahrens, a sister Norma Sawyer, a “sister” Dolly Ahrens, 3 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandson.

Funeral services will take place on Saturday, May 10, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Hope Lutheran Church in Bellaire. Pastor Wade Seaver will officiate.

Interment will follow in Eldred Cemetery, Kearney Township.

Visitation will be on Friday from 5-8 p.m. at the Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hope Lutheran Church.

Please sign our online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.