EDITH GLENN
Edith May Glenn, 101, of rural Ottumwa passed away peacefully early Friday morning December 5, 2025, at the MHP Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. She was born April 11, 1924, to Ada Belle Chambers Smyser and Everett Phillip Smyser. She attended school in Schuyler County, Missouri. On April 29, 1944, she was united in marriage to Earl J. Glenn and they farmed together for over 55 years. Edith’s family always came first, but her passion was horses. She was known for her gentle hands, patient heart, and uncanny ability to calm even the most spirited mare, a gift that seemed to come as naturally to her as breathing. Whether she was competing in the show ring, training young horses, or simply grooming them, she radiated a deep unspoken understanding of the bond between horse and rider. Edith was an active member of the American Quarter Horse Association and was an accomplished horse breeder, trainer, and competitor at the local and state levels. She competed in Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, and Illinois State Fairs for many years and won numerous classes at each one. Edith was known for her keen eye on picking out the best horses to show and was well respected in the horse community. She always enjoyed her annual fall trip to watch the competitors at the AQHA World Championship Show in Oklahoma City.
Beyond the barn, Edith was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She had a gift for making people feel valued, often sharing stories over a cup of coffee or after a meal of her legendary homemade noodles and homemade pie. Her laughter was as warm as a summer pasture and her wisdom as steady as a trusted horse. She will be dearly missed but may her trails be endless, her skies forever clear, and her horses always near.
She is survived by her son Bill (Diane) Glenn, son in law, Charles Harter, grandchildren, Michael (Lisa) Den Hartog, Shawna (Greg) Saylor, Shila (Zane) Maschmann, and Coldt (Abby) Schmidt, great grandchildren, Justin (Shelby) Den Hartog, Matthew (Ali) Den Hartog, Paden Maschmann, Kendig (Kalista) Maschmann, Skye (Mark) Zimmerer, Kearstan (Tyler) Orndorff, Makenna Schmidt, Davian Thompson, Willa Schmidt, and Lennon Schmidt, great-great grandchildren, Barrett Den Hartog, Lennox Den Hartog, Araya Orndorff, and Mercy Orndorff; her siblings, Esther Cypert, Virginia Melvin, and Manley (Mary) Smyser; sister in law, Marie Smyser and many other extended family members, friends, and loved ones.
Edith was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Earl, daughter, Judy Harter; siblings, Payton (Juanita) Smyser, Anna (Sandy) Bird, Mary Belle (Donald) Durham, Quinten Smyser, Nancy (Keith) Kerby, brother in laws, Bob Melvin and Virgil Garr; granddaughter, Angela (Paul) Hillebrand; and a grandson, Dustin Schmidt.
Funeral services will be held Friday, December 12, 2025, at 12:00 noon in the Fremont Community Church in Fremont, Iowa, with Dr. Kimberly Brown officiating. Burial will be in the Westview Cemetery at Kirkville, Iowa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation with the family present will be on Friday, December 12, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. until service time at 12 noon in the Fremont Community Church. Memorials may be made to Fremont Community Center.
