The Fergus Falls Daily Journal

Gladys Lawrence, died Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012, at St. Francis Nursing Home in Breckenridge.

Gladys was born on Feb. 21, 1918, to John and Mathilda (Lindstrom) Swenson near Evansville. She attended rural grade school in School District 49, while growing up on the family farm in Urness Township.

She was baptized and confirmed in Zionsborg Lutheran Church, south of Evansville. She received her beautician’s license after attending school in Minneapolis, while living with her sister, Jennie Martin.

Gladys married Charles J. Lawrence on Nov. 18, 1938, in Wahpeton, N.D. They were blessed with a beautiful family of four children, C. David, Richard, Andrea, and Cynthia.

Past employment included Melby Studio of Photography and working as a cook at St. Francis Nursing Home.

On Sept. 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.

Gladys is survived by her children Charles David (Marlene) Lawrence of Ivanhoe, Andrea (Charles) Kohoutek of Rapid City, S.D., and Cynthia (Ronald) Krier of Breckenridge; her daughter-in-law, Ann Lawrence; 14 grandchildren; 21 great- grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

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.

Visitation: Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m., with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the funeral home

Service: 11 a.m. Monday, at Breckenridge Lutheran Church

Clergy: Rev. Mark Manning

Burial: Zionsborg Cemetery, Evansville

Funeral Home: Joseph Vertin and Sons Funeral Home, Breckenridge