Gladys Marie Parker was born in Oregon City, OR, on her mother's birthday, April 1, 1917. She drew her final breath 170 miles away in Roseburg, OR on October 27, 2016, at the age of 99. In those interim years, she lived a full life serving the God she loved. As a young woman, she gave up a full ride scholarship to an in-state college to attend a holiness college, Northwest Nazarene College, in Nampa, ID. It was there that she met her future husband, Earl Mosteller. While at Northwest Nazarene College, Gladys excelled in her studies, as she had done in high school, graduating at the top of her class. Immediately following graduation, Gladys and Earl were married and accepted their first pastorate with the Church of the Nazarene in Hemlock, OR. Sensing a call on their lives to the mission field, they were later appointed as missionaries to the Cape Verde Islands. After more than a decade on those islands, they accepted the challenge to open the work of the Church of the Nazarene in Campinas, S. Paulo, Brazil. As a result of a successful ministry there, they were again asked to open the work in two subsequent countries: Portugal and the Azores Islands. After a missionary career spanning some 45 years, the couple retired to Seattle, Washington. Gladys was over 70 years old at the time. She will be remembered as a gentle soul who loved people without reservations in each country she lived, establishing enduring relationships with hundreds of friends around the world. She was known for thinking of others before herself and giving everything her best effort. In her career she was called on to serve in many roles ranging from field treasurer to seminary teacher to music instructor to choir director to camp counselor/director, just to name a few. She exhibited tremendous flexibility in adapting to new situations and applied her principles of academic excellence to every endeavor she undertook. She was an often-requested missions speaker both at individual churches and even for six-week district tours while she was on furlough in the USA representing the Church of the Nazarene. She used humor and passion to captivate her audiences and share her excitement about the mission fields where she served and, more specifically, her love for Jesus Christ, her Savior. She left a tremendous legacy for her family on how to serve God wholeheartedly without reserve.

Gladys was preceded in death by her parents, Bertha and Frank Parker, all her brothers and sisters, and her husband, Dr. Earl Mosteller. She is survived by her daughters Kathy (Larry) Loeber, Ginny (Jim) York, and Liz (Steve) Ott; her grandchildren Krystal Loeber, Linc Loeber, Peter (Michelle) Ott, Stephanie (Ryan) Hunt, and Seth (Katie) Ott; and numerous nieces, nephews, and their descendants.

Gladys will be honored in a private family memorial service.


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The Homegoing of Gladys Mosteller October 27, 2016

On October 27, 2016, Mom joined Dad to be forever with our Lord and Savior! It was one year to the

day of Dad's passing to glory. She went peacefully and pain-free with no disease other than dementia.

Ginny, Liz and I were together and able to spend precious time with her. What a blessing and privilege

to have had her as our mother here on earth! She was a living example of God's love and selflessness.

When we celebrated Dad's homegoing in Seattle, WA last December, tributes and personal reflections

were lovingly given that honored the life and ministry of the Mostellers as a couple as well as Dad.

Many traveled long distances to pay their respects. We as the family will always be grateful for the

sacrifices and love shown. Your words are indelibly etched in our hearts!

As friends have already so beautifully shared their expressions of love and respect, after prayerful

consideration we have decided to celebrate her life with a service for the immediate family. We will

honor her life lived in such a godly, exemplary way before us. We know she is rejoicing with a

multitude of friends and family who have gone before and are awaiting that glorious day of Christ's

return. We thank you for your prayers and heartfelt wishes.

May God abundantly bless you. We cherish your friendship over the years for Mom and Dad as well as

the rest of our family.

Kathy Loeber