Gail Gladys (Glessing) Sherrer, age 78, wife of Doug Sherrer and mother to Tracy, Troy and Crystal, passed away the morning of October 2, 2025, after a prolonged illness. Her final hours were spent peacefully in her home in Vancouver, Washington with her daughters and family friends by her side. Known for her vibrant sense of humor and unwavering kindness, Gail will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Her family asks that she be remembered for the joy and laughter she brought to others in life.

Gail was born May 6, 1947, in Wright County, Minnesota, and grew up on the Glessing family farm in Howard Lake. She eventually moved to Denver, Colorado, where she met her husband Doug and his 6 year-old daughter, Tracy. Together, they embarked on a new adventure, moving to Takotna in remote Alaska where they built a cabin, raised a family and became gold miners. One of Gail’s favorite stories to tell was the time she shot and killed a black bear that was stalking the cabin!

In 1981, the family moved to McGrath, AK. Gail got a job at the newly created KSKO radio station. Each morning she hosted a country music show, along with a program called KSKO for Kids, where she read children’s stories on air. She also reported live on the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, as mushers came through town. Her husband, Doug, would later go on to run the race twice himself. Gail eventually went on to work as a bookkeeper for the Iditarod Area School District, retiring in 2007 after 15 years of dedicated service. She spent most of her retirement years in Portland, Oregon, enjoying being grandma to her grandson, Powers.

Gail is survived by her husband of 51 years, Doug Sherrer; daughters Tracy Sherrer and Crystal Bailey; grandsons Brenden Silva (son of Tracy Sherrer and Kevin Silva) and Powers Bailey (son of Crystal Bailey and Chris Bailey); sister Denise Dyreson and husband Bernie; brother Dennis Glessing, wife Vicky and their children, Jared and Jessica; step-siblings Doug Stolka (Andy Reynolds); Frank and Lori Stolka; Annette Bendtsen (Chris Skelton); and many other cherished family members and friends; and preceded in death by her son, Troy Sherrer; father Lloyd Glessing; mother Gladys and step-father Ed Stolka; and other dearly missed relatives.

In lieu of flowers, we have set up a memorial donation fund in her name with the help of the radio station where she worked, KSKO. Being a radio DJ was one of Gail’s favorite jobs, and all three of her children became volunteer DJs there. The memorial fund will help her legacy and the radio station live on. Please use the following link and our sincerest thanks for your donation.