Gladys Etta Blass

Gladys Etta Blass was born in Everly, IA, on March 18, 1917 to Thomas and Dena Boyenga Roskens. She graduated from Everly High School in 1933 and attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls. She taught in rural schools for six years. Gladys married Weldon (Bob) Blass April 18, 1941, at the First English Lutheran Church in Spencer. Their early years together were spent farming north of Cornell. They then moved to Spencer and continued farming near Langdon and Fostoria. A farm was purchased west of Terril in 1951 where they raised their five children. In 1983, they moved to a permanent residence on Endersons Canal in Wahpeton, IA where Gladys continued to live prior to moving to Riverview Terrace in June 2012. For over 30 years she and Bob enjoyed wintering in McAllen, TX. She passed away peacefully at St. Luke Nursing Home on October 23, 2012. Gladys enjoyed crocheting, playing cards and Scrabble, writing poetry, flower gardening and bird watching. With her faith in God and love of Christ being the mainstay of her life, she spent much time actively involved at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Terril, IA, where she taught Sunday school, confirmation classes, Vacation Bible School and held offices in the Ladies Aid and the Spencer Zone LWML. She was preceded in death by her husband Weldon, who passed away October 19, 1999; her parents; 2 brothers and 2 sisters. She is survived by her children, Judy Burke of Denver, CO, Mary Jane (Dean) Peterson of Hartley, IA, Sally Iverson of St. Paul, MN, Jim (Lynne) Blass of Woodbury, MN and Nancy (Brent) Carlson of Franktown, CO; 15 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; a sister Alma (Tootie) Birchard and sister-in-law, Lois Simmons, both of Spencer, IA; many nieces, nephews and friends.

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