Joseph, Edward, Gladys, and Catherine (née Ehrler) Schwert. Undated photo, probably about 1920. (Click to enlarge, 52K)

Gladys was a graduate of the University of Buffalo and worked for many years as a counselor at the Buffalo General School of Nursing.

While a student at the University of Buffalo, Gladys met and fell in love with Spencer Sherman Krull, who was born on July 24, 1915. Spencer was a son of Raymond Pratt Krull and Mildred (née Spencer) Krull. On September 2, 1942, he and Gladys were married at Saint Rose of Lima R.C. Church in Buffalo. Shortly after the wedding, Spencer went to war, where he was assigned to the Headquarters Detachment, 3rd Brigade, 114th Infantry Division, and rose to the rank of Lieutenant.

Gladys (née Schwert) and Spencer S. Krull on their wedding day, September 2, 1942. (Photo by Edward E. Schwert. Click for enlargement, 20K)

Following the War, Gladys and Spencer had one child, Nancy, born on March 7, 1948. The family resided on the first floor of 1088 Parkside Avenue in Buffalo.

Shortly after Nancy's birth, Spencer was diagnosed with an acute form of leukemia. Although in poor health, he strongly desired to go fishing at Honey Harbor, northeast of Midland, Ontario, on Georgian Bay. Gladys and R. Pratt Krull drove Spencer to Georgian Bay, and they stayed at a log cabin cottage. Spencer fell gravely ill and died on June 29, 1949. Hughson King, a family friend and local fishing guide, helped to transport Spencer by boat to the nearest hospital, at Midland -- although Spencer might have already been deceased.

Spencer was interred was in Lot 4, Sec. 5, Clarence Fillmore Cemetery, Clarence, NY. Following the funeral, the family met at the residence of Spencer's parents in Rapids, along Tonawanda Creek south of Lockport. There, in the evening, they gathered under two huge black walnut trees in the front yard and sang.

Wedding of Gladys Ehrler (née Schwert) Krull to Raymond Brecker, October 11, 1986, Saint Rose of Lima R.C. Church, Buffalo, NY. (Click on photo for enlargement, 42K)

From there on Gladys' love and energies focused on raising her daughter Nancy. Catherine lived at 1088 Parkside with Gladys and Nancy and helped care for Nancy while Gladys was at work. On August 20, 1963, at the age of 15, Nancy died after a prolonged and painful battle with brain cancer. Gladys then cared for her mother until Catherine's death in 1967.

On October 11, 1986, Gladys married Dr. Raymond Franklin Brecker at Saint Rose of Lima R.C. Church, in Buffalo. Raymond's Social Security Application indicates that he was born on March 22, 1914, the son of Joseph M. and Hilda C. (née Kencher) Brecker. Gladys and Raymond spent their summers in Buffalo and their winters in Florida. The Social Security Death Index indicates that Raymond died on March 8, 1989, in Bradenton, Florida.

Gladys made Bradenton her permanent home. After a prolonged battle with cancer, Gladys died on March 17, 1999, in Bradenton. Her cremains were interred in the Ehrler family plot, Section 26, Lot 134, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, NY.