Michele Gleason

Michele “Mickey” Drew Gleason passed away in Lincoln on Monday, February 9, 2026. She was born September 5th, 1942, in Beatrice, Nebraska to Paul and Dorrice Drew. Attended Beatrice Public Schools K-11th, then moved to San Marcos, Texas in 1959 and graduated from San Marcos High School in 1960. She attended the University of Nebraska, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1964. After graduation, she taught at Waverly, Nebraska from 1964-1965.

Married her high school sweetheart, Dr. David Gleason, on June 5th, 1965. They moved to San Angelo, Texas for Dave to serve in the United State Air Force at Goodfellow Air Force Base. While there, Mickey was a “Gray Lady” in the Air Force Immunization Clinic and Chair of the base Thrift Store. In August of 1967, Dave and Mickey moved back to Beatrice with their 10-month-old son, Timothy, born in October. In November of 1968, their daughter Jane was born. In October 1973, their son Daniel was born.

Mickey was a servant to her community where she served, held leadership positions, and actively fund raised for The Children’s Library Guild, Stoddard PTA, and Midget Football. She served as the President and treasurer for the Young Republicans. She was Congressman Douglas Bereuter’s first chairman of his Gage Country campaign. She went on to serve on Congressman Bereuter’s Military Academy Selection board for many years. She has led the Beatrice “Meals on Wheels” organization for over 20 years

Education was extremely important to Mickey, where she served the community for decades. She was a room mother for fourteen years at Stoddard, serving as President of the Stoddard PTA, where she awarded a lifetime PTA membership. She served on numerous committees for Stoddard Elementary programs including the science textbook selection committee, and the reading program committee.

Active throughout her children’s school years, Mickey served 8 years on the Beatrice Public School Board of Education, as President, Vice President, and chairing multiple committees. She and Dave served as Presidents of the Beatrice Junior High and Senior High Parent Council. She was the Treasurer for the “Cornerstone Builders” which helped the construction of the new Beatrice High School, built in 1999. She is a founding board member of the Beatrice Educational Foundation, serving on its board for 34 years. For her service, she was awarded the “Orangemen of the Week”, as well as the “Star Award” for her dedication.

She was a lifelong member of Christ Church Episcopal in Beatrice. Her attitude of service led her to serve multiple terms on the Vestry and President of the Women of Christ Church. She was the receiving treasurer for over 30 years and sat on the board of the Christ Church Episcopal Foundation.

Mickey loved her family dearly, playing bridge with friends and card games with her family, watching her children and grandchildren’s sports and activities, and was an avid fan of all things Husker. Before her health prevented it, you can be sure that she was in the stands or audience of every game or activity her children or grandchildren were participating in. You could also be sure she was in the stands cheering on the Huskers as she rarely missed going to games, including sitting in labor, in a snowstorm once in November 1968. She enjoyed holding court in their Husker RV at Saturday tailgates. She was an avid needle pointer whose creations adorned the walls of every room during her favorite holiday of Christmas, as well as the priceless hand-made needle point stockings she spent countless hours making for every member of the family, hanging from the mantle. She certainly earned her Christmas nickname of “St. Mick”. She was a tremendous cook and the consummate host for every family holiday for over 50 years.

She is survived by her husband of over 60 years Dr. David Gleason of Beatrice. Her three children Dr. Timothy (Tara) Gleason of Beatrice, Jane (Tri) Sundermeier of Lincoln, NE, and Dr. Daniel (Mary) Gleason of Beatrice. Her siblings: sister Sharon (Terry) Phillips of Mizzoula, MT, sister Jonni Jones of Beatrice, and brother David (Shirley) Drew of New Braunfels, TX. Grandchildren Drew, Kate, Brooke, Jada, Addison, Annie, Sophie, and Luke. Numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Dorrice Drew.

A Celebration Of Life Service for Mickey will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, February 16, 2026 at Christ Church Episcopal, 524 North 5th Street in Beatrice. The church will Livestream the service on their YouTube page. Reception to follow at Beatrice Country Club. The body will lie in state Sunday from 12-8:00 PM at the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel, 708 N. 6th Street in Beatrice with the family greeting friends from 4-6:00 PM. Private burial will be at the Evergreen Home Cemetery in Beatrice. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the Beatrice Educational Foundation and the Christ Church Foundation with the funeral home in charge.

We invite you to celebrate Mickey's life by sharing your memories and photos, and view her video tribute on her memorial page at www.ghchapel.com. Her light may have dimmed in our world, but her compassionate spirit of service to her family, church and community will forever shine in our hearts.

These services have been entrusted to the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice.