Gladys Hapke

GLADYS MAE (VOLLMER) HAPKE was born on December 4, 1928 in Glencoe, Minnesota to Henry and Ida (Monkemeier) Vollmer. She was baptized and confirmed at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Glencoe. She attended public school in Glencoe. Following her schooling, Gladys waitressed at a caf where she met Wayne Hapke. They were united in marriage on September 13, 1947 at First Lutheran Church in Glencoe. Following their marriage, they moved to Wayne’s farm in Grange Township, Pipestone County, Minnesota. Gladys was a ‘hands-on’ farmwife, driving tractor and milking cows, all while taking care of the house and raising four sons. Wayne preceded her in death in January of 2006; Gladys continued to live on the farm until November of 2012 when she moved into the Central Minnesota Senior Care in Lake Benton, Minnesota. Having lived only two places since her marriage, Gladys, died on Saturday, December 6, 2014; two days after her 86th birthday, at the Central Minnesota Senior Care.

Gladys was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Holland for 62 years, where she volunteered with the Sunday school, youth groups, bible school and the Ladies’ Aide. She also participated in the Thursday afternoon bible study. Gladys was involved with the Holland American Legion Axillary and she spent many hours volunteering at the local food shelf. For over 25 years, she was involved with the fair and 4-H, whether she was helping her sons or exhibiting her own baked goods. Gladys always loved baking and sharing, she always sent her visitors home with a plate of goodies. Gladys also enjoyed sports and listening to the games on the radio – from the Pipestone Arrows to the Minnesota Twins.

Gladys is lovingly remembered by her sons: John Hapke of Tyler, Minnesota, Tom Hapke of Big Lake, Minnesota and Tim (Danielle) Hapke of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and one granddaughter, Cheyenne Backlund of Big Lake. She is preceded in death by her husband, Wayne; her son James; her parents and 2 brothers.