Gladys Buckland

Gladys Bates Buckland, 91, a longtime resident of Menan, Idaho, passed away peacefully on July 3, 2026, at Homestead Senior Living in Rexburg, Idaho.

Gladys was born on August 8, 1934, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, at the LDS Hospital to Samuel Alvin Bates and Thelma Alberta Hayes Bates. She attended Rigby High School and graduated in 1952.

On August 10, 1952, she married Steve Edwin Buckland. They made their home in Menan, Sunnydell, and Rigby, Idaho. Gladys was self-employed in farming and raising cattle alongside her husband.

A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gladys found great joy in her family and in serving others. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren, playing games, making and collecting dolls, bowling in leagues and tournaments, attending concerts, shopping at yard sales and flea markets, collecting antiques, going to rodeos and the county and state fairs, gardening—especially flowers and vegetables—making jewelry, traveling, and visiting with neighbors and friends.

Gladys is survived by her son, Kelly Buckland of Fairfax, Virginia; her daughters, Sherry (Rick) Woods of Menan, Idaho, Lorrie (Russell) James of Island Park, Idaho, and Susan (Lance) Briggs of Menan, Idaho; her sister, Joyce Clifford of St. George, Utah; 10 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Steve Edwin Buckland; her parents, Samuel Alvin and Thelma Alberta Hayes Bates; her brothers, Orrin Bates and Rodney Bates; her sister, Elizabeth Williams; her grandson, Steve Woods; and her daughter-in-law, Merle Buckland.

Funeral services will be held Monday, July 13, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Menan Stake Center, 698 N. 3600 E., Menan, Idaho. A visitation will be held prior to the service from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. at the stake center. Burial will follow at the Annis-Little Butte Cemetery.