GLADYS LaVONNE BLOM was born on August 4, 1934 to Cornie and Angeline (Van Dyke) Van Essen in Leota, Minnesota. Gladys was baptized in 1934 and later confirmed on September 2, 1951, both at Bethel Reformed Church in Leota. Gladys attended country school through the eighth grade. On June 20, 1952, she was united in marriage to Alvin Blom at the Naval Chapel in Bremerton, Washington. The couple made their home in Bremerton until 1954 when Alvin was honorably discharged from the United States Marines. The couple moved back to Leota where Alvin and Gladys began farming. In 1964, they began a dry cleaning business in Edgerton which they operated until 1976 at which time they moved their business to Luverne, Minnesota. They continued to operate the business until selling it in 1995. Even upon their retirement, they both remained very active within the community. Wherever you saw one of them, you were sure to see the other.

On Tuesday, July 24, 2018, with Alvin by her side, Gladys went to be with the Lord at the age of 83 years, 11 months and 20 days.

Gladys was a member of the American Reformed Church in Luverne where she was involved in church circle. Throughout her life, Gladys knew the value of hard work and enjoyed being able to help others through her work. She enjoyed camping and annual summer road trips to California to visit family.

Gladys is lovingly remembered by her husband of 66 years, Alvin; three children, Glenda (Arlyn) Hofland of Sioux City, Iowa, Rhonda (David) Wynia of Luverne, and Terry (Lisa) Blom of San Antonio, Texas; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; siblings, Ila Jean (Bill) Mouw of Sioux Center, Lloyd (Sharon) Van Essen of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Orlin (Kathy) Van Essen of Sioux Center; and sister-in-law, Elsie Van Essen of Seal Beach, California.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother, Harvey Van Essen.