Gladys Marie Van Drie of Estes Park, a visionary in the free-community newspaper publishing industry, passed away on March 31, 2024, at the age of 87, following a brief battle with cancer.
Born on May 24, 1936, in Martin, South Dakota, Gladys and her twin brother Gerald were adopted shortly after birth by Rev. Gerritt and Johanna Vander Wolde, following the death of their birth mother. Raised across the Midwest and Canada, Gladys earned an associate degree in education and began her career as a teacher before stepping into the world of publishing.
In the 1960s, Gladys and her late husband Rudy Van Drie owned and operated three free-community newspapers in Iowa, based in Ames, Boone, and Knoxville, as well as local real estate guides. Though Gladys was initially not involved in the daily operations of the papers, everything changed in 1976 when Rudy passed away unexpectedly. With remarkable tenacity, Gladys took over the papers and transformed them into award-winning publications, leading them for 16 years before selling the titles to the Des Moines Register.
A passionate advocate for both her community and the publishing industry, Gladys served in various leadership roles, including president of the Shopping Guides of Iowa and the National Association of Advertising Publishers (now the Association of Community Publishers). Her outstanding contributions earned her numerous accolades, including the prestigious Robert S. Green Award and Publisher of the Year Award. In her honor, ACP established the “Gladys Van Drie Volunteer Award,” a testament to her dedication to service.
Beyond her contributions to publishing, Gladys was deeply engaged in civic activities. She served on the Ames City Council, was appointed to the Governor’s Economic Committee, and held leadership positions in local organizations like the American Heart Association and the Ames Chamber of Commerce.
After selling her newspapers in 1992, Gladys relocated to Monument, and later Estes Park, Colorado, where she continued to serve her community, including as president of the local Rotary Club and the Estes Park Newcomers. Her legacy as a leader, mentor, and advocate for justice will live on through her family, friends, and colleagues.
Gladys is survived by her daughters, Karen and Karla Van Drie; granddaughters, Allison and Kelly Goldthorpe (Nick Lindeke); and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rudy; her twin brother, Gerald; and several siblings.
Gladys Van Drie will be remembered for her trailblazing spirit, her commitment to community service, and her transformative impact on the world of free-paper publishing.
