Gladys B. Eitreim

GLADYS BORGINA EITREIM was born on April 30, 1914 on a farm northwest of Hills, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Halvor and Tillie [Birkeland] Bakken. In 1920, she moved with her family to a farm west of Luverne, Minnesota. She grew up on the family farm and attended rural school in District 10. She graduated from Luverne High School in 1933 and Normal Training in Luverne in 1934. Upon completion of her education, she taught in a rural school in District 22 of Rock County, Minnesota. On June 26, 1937, she married Severin R. Eitreim in Luverne. Following their marriage, they farmed southeast of Garretson, South Dakota. In 1941, they moved to the farm they purchased north of Beaver Creek, Minnesota. Severin preceded Gladys in death in 1967. After his death, she moved into Luverne and her son Gene and his wife Earleen took over the farm. In 1969, Gladys began working at Laudon Drug. She continued working there until her retirement in 1985. In June 2010 Gladys moved to the Good Samaritan Society – Mary Jane Brown Home in Luverne where she died peacefully on Wednesday, July 23, 2014 at the age of 100 years, 2 months, and 23 days.

Gladys was an active member of Palisade Lutheran Church, WELCA, and church circle. She was a member of the Pink Ladies and volunteered at Senior Dining Meal Site and Meals on Wheels. She belonged to several card clubs and liked to knit and crochet. Through the years she made many baby blankets. She loved having coffee with her friends. The open house celebration of Gladys’ 100th birthday this past May was a wonderful and joyful occasion for her, as well as her family and dear friends.

She is lovingly remembered by her daughter, Marlene Wassenaar of Luverne, Minnesota; her son, Gene Eitreim (special friend, Jan Bresson) of Battle Lake, Minnesota; five grandchildren, Brenda (Todd) Wessels, Wendy (Brett) Stegenga, Tomm (Allison) Eitreim, Timm (Beth) Eitreim, and Rebecca (Clint) Arrowsmith; thirteen great-grandchildren, Jamie (Jacob) Brehmer, Kelsey (fianc, Greg Brandt) Wessels, Alyssa Stegenga, Blake Stegenga, McCall Stegenga, Chandler Eitreim, Ashton Eitreim, Greysen Eitreim, Wyatt Eitreim, Todd Newman, Colton Arrowsmith, Preston Arrowsmith and Bryson Arrowsmith; a great-great-granddaughter, Eilley Brehmer; two sisters-in-law, Arla Bakken of Luverne, Minnesota, and Martha Bakken of Hills, Minnesota; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Severin; her parents, Halvor and Tillie Bakken; two brothers, Helmer and Obed Bakken; daughter-in-law, Earleen Eitreim; granddaughter, Tamara Wassenaar; and great-grandson, Austin Wessels.