1935 ~ 2025
Gladys Marjorie (Maggie) Leon was born April 24, 1935, in Rapid City, South Dakota to Gustav Daniel Leland and Tobina Tonstad Leland, Norwegian Immigrants.
Gladys Leland married Gustavo Leon on April 7, 1956 in Wendover, Nevada. She is survived by her children: daughter Lori Willis; son Jeffery Leon(Linda); Brenda Santillanez (Kevin); son Gustavo A Leon Jr(Michelle); daughter Rebecca Burns; and her sister Thelma Woffinden. She was preceded in death by her husband Gus; her brother Melvin Leland; and her sister Shirley Hall. Gladys was blessed with 12 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
Gladys grew up in South Dakota, then moved to Wendover, Utah in 1942. Gladys attended Elko High School where she graduated in 1953. Gladys and Gus raised Lori, Jeff, and Brenda in Magna, UT. In 1969 they moved to Fort Bragg, NC, where Gustavo Jr and Rebecca were born. The family later at Fort Sam Houston (Texas), the Presidio of San Francisco (California), Heidelberg (Germany) Headquarters US Army Europe, and Fort McPherson (Georgia).
During these years, Gladys volunteered with the Red Cross and loved her role as an army wife. She tirelessly hosted teas, luncheons, and other social gatherings in the homes she made her own. She especially enjoyed working in the thrift shops on each base. She worked at the PX in Germany, where she she often joked that she spent more money there buying clothes than she brought home. A devoted Christian, wife, and mother, she took her role to heart and always supported her husband’s military career. Her family was blessed by her unwavering care, warmth, and presence.
She often reminisced about her childhood home behind the Stateline Hotel and Casino, remembering it fondly.
After Gus and Gladys retired in 1985, they settled in Sandy, Utah.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to all the staff at Beacon Crest, where Gladys lived for almost 6 years. Every staff member treated “Maggie” as if she where a member of their own family. We wish we could list each of you by name, but hopefully you know what an impact you had on her life.
Viewing will be held Friday November 14th 2025 at 6:00 PM 1950 E Dimple Dell Rd, Sandy, Ut. Second Viewing November 15th 12:30-1:15 PM 260 E South Temple, SLC, UT. Funeral Service will be held Saturday, November 15th, 2025 beginning at 1:30 PM at 260 E South Temple, SLC, UT with the family. Graveside burial at Mt Calvary, at 2:45 PM in Salt Lake City.
I am so sorry your mom has passed, but I’m sure she is with God and he is taking very good care of her. She can sure be proud of the children she raised! I always enjoyed visiting with her❤️
OUR DEEPEST AND MOST HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO MRS. GLADYS'S ENTIRE FAMILY. WE HAD THE PRIVILIGE OF KNOWING HER AND LOVING REBECCA, JOSH, JAKOB AND RYAN. OUR THROUGHTS ARE WITH THE FAMILY AND MAY SHE FOREVER REST IN PEACE.
Gladys is and was an amazing woman. She raised such strong children along with her husband Gustavo. She was such a kind and loving person. She knew when to be tough in her own way. You could see it in her beautiful eyes how she was feeling. She was the strongest woman I knew. She may be gone but she will never be forgotten. She is with her husband finally getting there quiet time back.
Sending our deepest condolences. Our thoughts love and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
Nana was such a sweet and beautiful soul. She will be missed terrible by those who were lucky enough to have been touched by her kindness and joy. Papa has already welcomed her into his loving arms in heaven. And hopefully one day we’ll see their smiling faces again.