Gladys Irene Bernal passed away on June 8, 2018 at the age of 101. She was born June 9, 1916 in San Luis Obispo to Ava and Lawrence Hansen, and as a child lived in Carissa Plains. Later her family moved to San Ardo, where her father was a pioneer Rancher/Farmer, and resided on the Rosenberg Ranch.
Gladys attended King City High School, and then married George Bernal April 13, 1934. After marriage, Gladys lived in Salinas, Monterey, Los Banos, and surrounding areas. Gladys was a weigh master for the Spreckles Sugar Company.Gladys and George returned to San Ardo in the mid 1940’s where they farmed with her father. Gladys was a water safety instructor for the Red Cross for 18 years.
Gladys and George had the Evergreen Cafe in San Ardo, until they moved to Pioneer in the early 70’s to open GG’s Drive Inn. Gladys was an excellent cook, and cooked for large groups on many occasions. Her specialties were Roquefort dressing and Pineapple Upside Down Cake. Gladys was an avid hunter, where she would frequent Parkfield and Markleeville, she was also quite the fisherwoman. Gladys loved gardening, tending to her flowers, keeping her humming birds happy, and identifying all the beautiful birds she came across. Gladys loved to travel to Mexico in the winters, visit the Radon Health Mines in Montana, and also spend some winters in Arizona.
Gladys was also an avid golfer. She is accomplished a hole-in-one at King City Golf Course in her younger days. Gladys could be found clamming at Pismo Beach and also spent many seasons with her husband hosting campgrounds in the Sierra’s. In all of her travels, she met so many people, she always had stories about all the wonderful people she met along the way. No matter where she stopped – there was always a familiar face. Nobody was a stranger! In 2008 Gladys returned to King City where she remained until moving to Soledad in 2015 where she received excellent care provided by Eden Valley Care Center.
Gladys was preceded in death by husband of 74 years, George; and her sons, Dickie and Rowland. Gladys is survived by her son, Gerald (Marilyn) Bernal; daughter, Patti Bullock (Joel Garner); daughter in law , Kim Bernal; grandchildren, Ron Bernal Jr. (Irma), Dennis Bernal (Joan), Jeff Bernal (DeeDee), Timothy Bernal (Shelli), Mike Bernal (Maureen), Steve Bernal (Leslie), Valerie Huff (Mike), Wendy Rianda (Steve), Tim Welence, Tiffany Burns (Tim), Samantha DeMartini, and Billy James. In addition, Gladys had many great grandchildren, Andi Bassetti (Ryan), Thomas Bernal (Lauren), Gabrielle Bernal, Quinn Bernal, Chloe Bernal, Jennifer Bernal, Jace Bernal, Jordan Bernal, Lauren Van Patten (Matt), Airman First Class Matthew Huff, Brooke Rianda, Mason Rianda, Ashley Pollard (Braden), Ronnie Bernal (Michelle), Gretchen Patterson (Josiah), Bridgett Bernal, Connor Bernal, Haylee Bernal, Carter Bernal, Cody DeMartini, Ally DeMartini, Jesse,Burns, and Brooke Burns; great-great grandchildren include Hank Bassetti, Paxton & Evve Bernal, Charlotte Van Patten, Jaxon Pollard, and Isaiah Pollard.
In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to VFW, Eden Valley Care, or charity of your choice.
The family will be conducting Private Memorial Services at a later date.
Arrangements were entrusted to Eddington Funeral Services, 429 Bassett St., King City, (831) 385-5400, www.EFS-Cares.com.
