Gladys Looten

Gladys Ruth Looten, 92, formerly of Panhandle, passed away on March 13, 2021 in Amarillo.

Vigil services will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 18, 2021 in St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Panhandle. Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 19, 2021 in St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Panhandle with Rev. Anthony Neusch as the celebrant. Burial will follow at Panhandle Cemetery. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home of Amarillo.

Gladys was born January 31, 1929, in Carson County to Leo and Clara Detten. She was the fourth of eleven children born to that union. Her grandparents were W. C. and Maria Metcalf and Henry and Anna Detten. She graduated from  Panhandle High School in 1946.

Gladys married Archie Looten on October 25, 1947 in St. Francis Church in a double wedding with her sister Blanche to Bernard Koetting, best friend to Archie. She was a homemaker and with her husband lifetime residents of Carson County, where they farmed and raised their family. They were active members of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church since 1953 where Gladys served as a member of the Parish council, Altar society and Diocesan Finance Council. She was a member of the Liberty Club and an active 4-H leader for many years with her children. Later, she was a docent at the Carson County Square House Museum.

Gladys was a loving wife, wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, her parents, four brothers, and a sister.

Survivors include four daughters, Kathy Krile (Tom) of Lubbock, Clara Lively of Rowlett, Teresa Sarzynski (Mike) of Amarillo, JoAnn Cox (Jeff) of Dewey, OK; three sons, James Looten (Priscilla) of Austin, Carl Looten (Angela) of Amarillo, Dan Looten (Patricia) of Panhandle; four sisters Anna Marie Wink of Amarillo, Blanche Koetting of Salina, KS, Alice Kuehler of Groom, Irene Lewis (Ashby) of Panhandle; one brother Paul Detten (Evelyn) of Panhandle. Gladys will be fondly remembered by 17 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and 17 godchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be to: Carson County Square House Museum, PO Box 276, Panhandle, TX 79068, St. Theresa Catholic Church, PO Box 366, Panhandle, TX 79068 or a charity of your choice.

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