Thank You Gladys!
Gladys Willis was a warrior for the Hands of Compassion Ministry. She was one of the original founders of the ministry, and countless people stayed in her home before the original “House of Compassion” was purchased in 1985. Gladys was a true born Minnesotan. She was born in Lewisville, Minnesota on November 16, 1923, and moved to Mankato in 2nd grade where she stayed through high school. After college she married Gerry Willis and they moved to Rochester, MN where Gerry worked for the Mayo Clinic as an electrical engineer. One of his many tasks was to help develop the first heart-lung machine.
Click on the image to hear Gladys Willis’ Interview with Chris Frazier, talking about the purchasing of the first Hands of Compassion House.
Gerry and Gladys were a huge part of the beginnings of the Hands of Compassion Ministry. As many of you know, the early days of this ministry took place in the homes of members of the Rochester church of Christ. Gladys was among those in the congregation who were frequently allowing strangers into her home. When the church decided it was time to buy the first house in 1985, Gladys was busy writing letters to all the people who had stayed in her home. With her networking abilities and her sweet spirit, the Rochester church of Christ was able to fundraise $60,000 out the the $80,000 needed to purchase that house.
Gerry and Gladys were also heavily involved in bringing in Boots Young as the first houseparent for the Hands of Compassion. Gladys remained a part of the work even after the purchasing of the house. She would meet the guests who would come to the house, get to know them, and write cards to them. When people would donate money to the ministry, her hand was frequently at work, writing cards to let them know how much their gift was appreciated. She would always tell anyone she met about the house.
Even after she moved to Bettendorf, IA she would keep in touch with people who had been through these houses. In an interview that is currently posted at the top of this page, she mentioned that “every Christmas she would send out over 400 Christmas cards to people.” She always asked for multiple newsletters when they came out, because she wanted to hand them to friends and spread the word about this ministry.
Gladys was a friend to everyone she met, and her legacy lives on through the ministry that she started. Thank you, Gladys, for all you have done for our ministry.
In 2015, Gladys stayed at our Hands of Compassion House for her own appointments. While she was here, Chris Frazier (One of our house parents at the time) asked if he could film her telling her story of the beginning of the “House of Compassion.” You can find that video at the top of the page.