Gladys Munson

Gladys Eleanor Munson was born December 11, 1911 to Charles and Mary (Johnson) Rathlisberger in Mankato, Minnesota. She was baptized and later confirmed at Sillerud Lutheran Church of rural Balaton, Minnesota. She grew up in Slayton, Minnesota and graduated from Slayton High School and Slayton Normal School. After teaching for several years in rural Murray County, she met the love of her life, Carl Munson, at the Hjermstad School Christmas party. They were married on June 4, 1936 at St. Peter, Minnesota. Their union was blessed with two children, Marie and Bob, and 52 years of life together. The couple farmed and raised their family in Ellsborough Township in Murray County. In 1963 they moved to a farm near Current Lake. In 1988, Carl died and Gladys continued to live on the farm. She later moved to senior housing in Balaton. In July 2011 she entered Colonial Manor of Balaton. On August 6 she fell and was admitted to Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center in Marshall, Minnesota, where she died on Sunday, August 7, 2011 at the age of 99 years, 7 months, and 26 days.

Gladys was a lifetime member of Sillerud Lutheran Church and very active in the life of the congregation. She was always thinking of others in her activities as 4-H leader, long-time Sunday School teacher, and producer of a multitude of quilts for Lutheran World Relief. Nobody doubts her abilities as seamstress, baker, and card player. She loved God’s word and read through the entire Bible many times. She also enjoyed gardening and watching Minnesota Twins baseball. Her greatest joy was time spent with her family, who regretfully say goodbye to Gladys but have very pleasant memories of her long and fulfilled life.

Gladys is lovingly remembered by her children, Marie (and Nat) Rutter of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and Bob Munson of Balaton, Minnesota; grandchildren Todd (and Karen) Rutter and Chris (and Jennifer) Rutter, all of Edmonton, and Jon (and Amy) Munson and Paul Munson, all of Balaton; great-grandchildren Karleen, Jed, Emily, Michael, Matthew, and Samantha; and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl; her parents; and her brother, Carlyle Rathlisberger.