1918
Gladys
2012
Gladys Lawrence
February 21, 1918 — October 16, 2012
Gladys Adele Lawrence, 94 of Breckenridge, MN died on October 16, 2012 at St. Francis Nursing Home in Breckenridge. The visitation will be at Joseph Vertin & Sons Funeral Home on Sunday, October 21 from 4:00PM to 7:00PM with a prayer service at 7. The funeral is at Breckenridge Lutheran Church, Monday October 22 at 11:00AM with luncheon immediately following. Pastor Mark Manning is officiating. The interment is at Zionsborg Cemetery, Evansville, MN.
Gladys was born on February 21, 1918 to John and Mathilda (Lindstrom) Swenson near Evansville, MN. She attended rural grade school in School District 49, while growing up on the family farm in Urness Township, MN. She was baptized and confirmed in Zionsborg Lutheran Church, south of Evansville. She received her beautician's license after attending school in Minneapolis, MN, while living with her sister, Jennie Martin.
Gladys married Charles J. Lawrence on November 18, 1938 in Wahpeton, ND. They were blessed with a beautiful family of four children, C. David, Richard, Andrea, and Cynthia. Past employment included Melby Studio of Photography and a cook at St. Francis Nursing Home. On September 10, 1968, while working at St. Francis Home, she earned her G.E.D.; an accomplishment she was very proud of. Through the Green Thumb program, Gladys worked at the Breckenridge Public Library, Breckenridge Senior Citizen's Center, Breckenridge Elementary School Library, the Salvation Army Flood Relief office and most recently, the American Red Cross Office. In April of 2000, illness forced her to retire. She held great prided in being able to continue working into her senior years.
Gladys was a member of Breckenridge Lutheran Church. She enjoyed caring for her garden of roses and wildflowers. She was an avid reader of Louis L'Amour books and painted flowers and landscapes with oils and acrylics. Her artwork has been exhibited at St. Francis Home, Breckenridge Lutheran Church and e Senior Citizen's Center. Her many works of art will be cherished by her family and friends. In recent years her failing eyesight had kept her from the hobbies she dearly loved. Gladys was a wonderful cook and loved it whenever her family gathered together and she could prepare her delicious 'food from the heart.' Gladys' deep faith in God and love for her family helped sustain her through her golden years.
In August of 2006, Gladys moved into Twin Town Villa, where she resided until October of 2010 when she moved into St. Francis Nursing Home. Her family is grateful for the devoted care she received while residing there. Gladys will be deeply missed by all who knew her, especially her children who were fortunate enough to call her 'mother.'
Gladys is survived by her children Charles David (Marlene) Lawrence of Ivanhoe, MN, Andrea (Charles) Kohoutek of Rapid City, SD and Cynthia (Ronald) Krier of Breckenridge; her daughter-in-law Ann Lawrence; 14 grandchildren and 21 great- grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews who loved her very much.
Gladys was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her son Richard Michael and three sisters, Helen Clow, Alice Strand and Jennie Martin; and her brother Alden Swenson.
Gladys was born on February 21, 1918 to John and Mathilda (Lindstrom) Swenson near Evansville, MN. She attended rural grade school in School District 49, while growing up on the family farm in Urness Township, MN. She was baptized and confirmed in Zionsborg Lutheran Church, south of Evansville. She received her beautician's license after attending school in Minneapolis, MN, while living with her sister, Jennie Martin.
Gladys married Charles J. Lawrence on November 18, 1938 in Wahpeton, ND. They were blessed with a beautiful family of four children, C. David, Richard, Andrea, and Cynthia. Past employment included Melby Studio of Photography and a cook at St. Francis Nursing Home. On September 10, 1968, while working at St. Francis Home, she earned her G.E.D.; an accomplishment she was very proud of. Through the Green Thumb program, Gladys worked at the Breckenridge Public Library, Breckenridge Senior Citizen's Center, Breckenridge Elementary School Library, the Salvation Army Flood Relief office and most recently, the American Red Cross Office. In April of 2000, illness forced her to retire. She held great prided in being able to continue working into her senior years.
Gladys was a member of Breckenridge Lutheran Church. She enjoyed caring for her garden of roses and wildflowers. She was an avid reader of Louis L'Amour books and painted flowers and landscapes with oils and acrylics. Her artwork has been exhibited at St. Francis Home, Breckenridge Lutheran Church and e Senior Citizen's Center. Her many works of art will be cherished by her family and friends. In recent years her failing eyesight had kept her from the hobbies she dearly loved. Gladys was a wonderful cook and loved it whenever her family gathered together and she could prepare her delicious 'food from the heart.' Gladys' deep faith in God and love for her family helped sustain her through her golden years.
In August of 2006, Gladys moved into Twin Town Villa, where she resided until October of 2010 when she moved into St. Francis Nursing Home. Her family is grateful for the devoted care she received while residing there. Gladys will be deeply missed by all who knew her, especially her children who were fortunate enough to call her 'mother.'
Gladys is survived by her children Charles David (Marlene) Lawrence of Ivanhoe, MN, Andrea (Charles) Kohoutek of Rapid City, SD and Cynthia (Ronald) Krier of Breckenridge; her daughter-in-law Ann Lawrence; 14 grandchildren and 21 great- grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews who loved her very much.
Gladys was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her son Richard Michael and three sisters, Helen Clow, Alice Strand and Jennie Martin; and her brother Alden Swenson.
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