Gladys Wiedemann

is honored with a Pathway Paver from K.T. Wiedemann Foundation

I have been richly blessed and I am merely the steward of what belongs to God. How and what we give depends on us, but give we must.... the harvest is plentiful.

Gladys Helena Gardner Wiedemann was born on March 3, 1907 in Minneapolis, MN. Her parents were Charles H. and Delia M. Gardner. Her father was a trombonist with the Minneapolis Orchestra and taught at the Minneapolis School of Music. She attended Minnesota University.

Mrs. Wiedemann gained her business acumen through practical experience. In 1944, she went to work as a secretary for Karl T. (K.T.) Wiedemann, president of Tanker Gas Company. Mr. Wiedemann was originally from El Dorado, KS, but had moved to Minneapolis to establish a gasoline distribution firm.

K.T. Wiedemann and Gladys Gardner were married on July 22, 1950, and moved to Wichita that year to be near business interests Mr. Wiedemann had acquired over the years in the Wichita area. By that time, Mr. Wiedemann had acquired significant ranch holdings in Kansas and was extensively involved in the oil and cattle businesses. Mrs. Wiedemann served as vice president and subsequently as president of Beaumont Petroleum Company.

On January 29, 1961, Mr. Wiedemann passed away of injuries suffered in an automobile accident near Leon, KS. Subsequent to that time, and prior to her death on February 6, 1991, Mrs. Wiedemann served as trustee of the K.T. Wiedemann Trust and as trustee and president of the K.T. Wiedemann Foundation, Inc.

In 1959, Mr. and Mrs. Wiedemann established the K.T. Wiedemann Foundation, Inc. After Mr. Wiedemann's death, Mrs. Wiedemann was extremely active in the affairs of the Foundation and continued to support the Wiedemann's vision for a finer quality of life within Wichita and the state of Kansas. During Mrs. Wiedemann's tenure, the Foundation supported hundreds of charities in areas relating to the arts, health, children and youth, the elderly, and the disadvantaged. during that time, the Foundation contributed tens of millions of dollars to worthy causes primarily in Kansas.

Through these contributions, many organizations have been able to flourish and provide needed services in this state. Among the many organizations which she supported are: Kansas 4-H Foundation, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Bethany College, Youthville Inc., KPTS Channel 8, Metropolitan Ballet, Heartspring and Rainbows United.

As a result of her upbringing, Mrs. Wiedemann was especially fond of supporting the cultural arts in Wichita. She studied the violin for 14 years and was also an accomplished organist. Perhaps one of her favorite projects was her commission of the Marcussen concert organ located in Wiedemann Recital Hall at Wichita State University.

Besides providing monetary support, Mrs. Wiedemann also gave of her time and business experience by serving on the boards of numerous charitable organizations. Those organizations included: Wichita Center for the Arts, Wichita Symphony Society, Salvation Army, YWCA, Friends University, Wichita Crime Commission and Wichita Soroptimist Club.

September 21, 1999