Gladys Birney, 95, of Watertown, SD and formerly of Waubay, SD passed away Saturday, February 11, 2012 at Jenkin's Living Center, Watertown.

Funeral Services will be 10:00 Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012 at Ortley Free Lutheran Church, Ortley SD with burial at Lakeview Cemetery, Waubay SD.

Vititation will be Monday, Feb. 13 from 4-7 at Coester Funeral Home, Webster with a Prayer Service at 7 at the funeral home. Visitation will resume again one hour prior to the services at the church.

Gladys was born on June 20, 1916 in Stockholm, SD to Leonard and Matilda (Malisch) Haliburton. She attended and graduated from Strandburg High School. She attended Aberdeen Normal Teaching College in Aberdeen. Gladys began teaching at Blooming Valley Country School in Grant County.

Gladys married Raymond V. Birney on August 15, 1943 in Strandburg. They moved to the Ortley area where she taught at Alto Country School in Roberts County, she then taught at Ortley #2 Country School until its closing, finally she taught in Waubay Public School until retiring.

Gladys hobbies include, reading, playing scrabble, doing crossword puzzles, baking, entertaining family and friends, playing piano, organ and the guitar. Most of all she loved spending time with her grandchildren.

Gladys was a member of Ortley Free Lutheran Church & VFW Ladies Auxiliary.

Grateful for having shared her life is her two sons; Ross (Darlene) Birney of Bismarck, ND, Rex (Jackie) Birney of Ortley, SD, one daughter; Patricia (Al) Vetter of Summit, SD, one daughter-in-law Julie Birney of Summit, SD, 7 grandchildren: Tyler & Jamie Birney, Danielle Hinkelman, Dana & Eric Birney and Justin & Dustin Birney 8 great grandchildren, one brother; Leonard (Jeanette) Haliburton Jr. of Milbank, SD, and one sister; Elva Meyers of Watertown, SD.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Raymond, one son Reed, one sister Mary, and one great grandson Daniel.