Gladys Lucille Graba, age 91, of Menahga, formerly of Sebeka, MN died Friday, August 7, 2020 at CHI St. Joseph’s Health Hospital, Park Rapids.
Gladys was born to Peter and Clara (Astrum) Ostlund on February 24, 1929 in Rockwood Township where she was raised and attended District 41 School.
A self-described tom-boy, Gladys was tasked with watching an older brother, Clifton around the Ostlund family farm. Clifton (born with physical handicaps) and Gladys spent hours together outdoors. As an older teen Gladys traveled to the Minneapolis area and worked as a house keeper and kitchen girl. While there she worked closely with the lady-of-the-house learning cooking skills. Later she worked at Kuntz Bakery and the Sebeka Co-op lunch counter. She also worked at Homecrest Ind., Wadena.
On August 27, 1950 she married Fred Graba. Four children were born to this union. They lived on the Graba family farm east of Sebeka. After a brief period of time living in Embarrass, MN, in 1959, she and Fred returned to the Sebeka farm. She lived there until her knees gave out and moved to Woodside Manor/Green Pine Acres, Menahga.
Gladys was a member of Nimrod Lutheran Church. While an active member there she enjoyed the food fund-raising projects of: preparing/serving food for weddings, celebrations and funerals.
Gladys enjoyed gathering seasonal fruits vegetable gardening and flowers. During the following weeks and months these foods were transformed into delicious: pies, jams, jellies and wine. Later, to be served along-side and with home baked bread, rolls and donuts. Well past the time she could gather the fruit, she purchased the fruit to make her own Jams and Jellies. When asked why, she simply stated: “Because it tastes better.” Not one to sit-idle during the evening hours she sewed clothing, knit mittens, sweaters, and afghans. She also enjoyed embroidery and made countless sets of dish towels as gifts.
Dancing and card playing were also enjoyments. She danced whenever she could, well into her 80’s. Card playing: with grandchildren, family members and neighbors during a visit at her home. While card playing with anyone, including young grandchildren, she didn’t ever let you win, you had to earn that victory. As a founding-member of Moonlight Trail Riders Saddle Club, she was of one several club members who prepared and served the food at the annual September, Huntersville Trail Ride. Dancing until the band quit playing on Saturday night. (There was no RV or inflatable-air-mattress to retire to at the end of the evening. She slept in the Huntersville Hall with a blanket). Then up early to prepare Sunday breakfast for the horseback riders.
Gladys is survived by one sister Helen Johnson many nieces and nephews. Her daughters: Susan (Fenske) Keimig and her husband Jerome (Jerry) of Bemidji, Lanet (Delbert) Huttunen of Pembina, ND. Sons: Dan (Anne), Duane (Becky). Many Grandchildren, Great-Grandchildren and Great-great Grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, an infant son (SIDS) an infant brother, two brothers and one sister.
Graveside Service on Friday, August 14, 2020 at 11: 00 a.m. at Evergreen Cemetery in Meadow Township, Wadena County, MN.
Obituary courtesy of Wevley Funeral Homes, Sebeka & Menahga, MN
Gladys was born to Peter and Clara (Astrum) Ostlund on February 24, 1929 in Rockwood Township where she was raised and attended District 41 School.
A self-described tom-boy, Gladys was tasked with watching an older brother, Clifton around the Ostlund family farm. Clifton (born with physical handicaps) and Gladys spent hours together outdoors. As an older teen Gladys traveled to the Minneapolis area and worked as a house keeper and kitchen girl. While there she worked closely with the lady-of-the-house learning cooking skills. Later she worked at Kuntz Bakery and the Sebeka Co-op lunch counter. She also worked at Homecrest Ind., Wadena.
On August 27, 1950 she married Fred Graba. Four children were born to this union. They lived on the Graba family farm east of Sebeka. After a brief period of time living in Embarrass, MN, in 1959, she and Fred returned to the Sebeka farm. She lived there until her knees gave out and moved to Woodside Manor/Green Pine Acres, Menahga.
Gladys was a member of Nimrod Lutheran Church. While an active member there she enjoyed the food fund-raising projects of: preparing/serving food for weddings, celebrations and funerals.
Gladys enjoyed gathering seasonal fruits vegetable gardening and flowers. During the following weeks and months these foods were transformed into delicious: pies, jams, jellies and wine. Later, to be served along-side and with home baked bread, rolls and donuts. Well past the time she could gather the fruit, she purchased the fruit to make her own Jams and Jellies. When asked why, she simply stated: “Because it tastes better.” Not one to sit-idle during the evening hours she sewed clothing, knit mittens, sweaters, and afghans. She also enjoyed embroidery and made countless sets of dish towels as gifts.
Dancing and card playing were also enjoyments. She danced whenever she could, well into her 80’s. Card playing: with grandchildren, family members and neighbors during a visit at her home. While card playing with anyone, including young grandchildren, she didn’t ever let you win, you had to earn that victory. As a founding-member of Moonlight Trail Riders Saddle Club, she was of one several club members who prepared and served the food at the annual September, Huntersville Trail Ride. Dancing until the band quit playing on Saturday night. (There was no RV or inflatable-air-mattress to retire to at the end of the evening. She slept in the Huntersville Hall with a blanket). Then up early to prepare Sunday breakfast for the horseback riders.
Gladys is survived by one sister Helen Johnson many nieces and nephews. Her daughters: Susan (Fenske) Keimig and her husband Jerome (Jerry) of Bemidji, Lanet (Delbert) Huttunen of Pembina, ND. Sons: Dan (Anne), Duane (Becky). Many Grandchildren, Great-Grandchildren and Great-great Grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, an infant son (SIDS) an infant brother, two brothers and one sister.
Graveside Service on Friday, August 14, 2020 at 11: 00 a.m. at Evergreen Cemetery in Meadow Township, Wadena County, MN.
Obituary courtesy of Wevley Funeral Homes, Sebeka & Menahga, MN
Gladys Lucille Graba, age 91, of Menahga, formerly of Sebeka, MN died Friday, August 7, 2020 at CHI St. Joseph’s Health Hospital, Park Rapids.
Gladys was born to Peter and Clara (Astrum) Ostlund on February 24, 1929 in Rockwood Township where she was raised and attended District 41 School.
A self-described tom-boy, Gladys was tasked with watching an older brother, Clifton around the Ostlund family farm. Clifton (born with physical handicaps) and Gladys spent hours together outdoors. As an older teen Gladys traveled to the Minneapolis area and worked as a house keeper and kitchen girl. While there she worked closely with the lady-of-the-house learning cooking skills. Later she worked at Kuntz Bakery and the Sebeka Co-op lunch counter. She also worked at Homecrest Ind., Wadena.
On August 27, 1950 she married Fred Graba. Four children were born to this union. They lived on the Graba family farm east of Sebeka. After a brief period of time living in Embarrass, MN, in 1959, she and Fred returned to the Sebeka farm. She lived there until her knees gave out and moved to Woodside Manor/Green Pine Acres, Menahga.
Gladys was a member of Nimrod Lutheran Church. While an active member there she enjoyed the food fund-raising projects of: preparing/serving food for weddings, celebrations and funerals.
Gladys enjoyed gathering seasonal fruits vegetable gardening and flowers. During the following weeks and months these foods were transformed into delicious: pies, jams, jellies and wine. Later, to be served along-side and with home baked bread, rolls and donuts. Well past the time she could gather the fruit, she purchased the fruit to make her own Jams and Jellies. When asked why, she simply stated: “Because it tastes better.” Not one to sit-idle during the evening hours she sewed clothing, knit mittens, sweaters, and afghans. She also enjoyed embroidery and made countless sets of dish towels as gifts.
Dancing and card playing were also enjoyments. She danced whenever she could, well into her 80’s. Card playing: with grandchildren, family members and neighbors during a visit at her home. While card playing with anyone, including young grandchildren, she didn’t ever let you win, you had to earn that victory. As a founding-member of Moonlight Trail Riders Saddle Club, she was of one several club members who prepared and served the food at the annual September, Huntersville Trail Ride. Dancing until the band quit playing on Saturday night. (There was no RV or inflatable-air-mattress to retire to at the end of the evening. She slept in the Huntersville Hall with a blanket). Then up early to prepare Sunday breakfast for the horseback riders.
Gladys is survived by one sister Helen Johnson many nieces and nephews. Her daughters: Susan (Fenske) Keimig and her husband Jerome (Jerry) of Bemidji, Lanet (Delbert) Huttunen of Pembina, ND. Sons: Dan (Anne), Duane (Becky). Many Grandchildren, Great-Grandchildren and Great-great Grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, an infant son (SIDS) an infant brother, two brothers and one sister.
Graveside Service on Friday, August 14, 2020 at 11: 00 a.m. at Evergreen Cemetery in Meadow Township, Wadena County, MN.
Obituary courtesy of Wevley Funeral Homes, Sebeka & Menahga, MN
Gladys was born to Peter and Clara (Astrum) Ostlund on February 24, 1929 in Rockwood Township where she was raised and attended District 41 School.
A self-described tom-boy, Gladys was tasked with watching an older brother, Clifton around the Ostlund family farm. Clifton (born with physical handicaps) and Gladys spent hours together outdoors. As an older teen Gladys traveled to the Minneapolis area and worked as a house keeper and kitchen girl. While there she worked closely with the lady-of-the-house learning cooking skills. Later she worked at Kuntz Bakery and the Sebeka Co-op lunch counter. She also worked at Homecrest Ind., Wadena.
On August 27, 1950 she married Fred Graba. Four children were born to this union. They lived on the Graba family farm east of Sebeka. After a brief period of time living in Embarrass, MN, in 1959, she and Fred returned to the Sebeka farm. She lived there until her knees gave out and moved to Woodside Manor/Green Pine Acres, Menahga.
Gladys was a member of Nimrod Lutheran Church. While an active member there she enjoyed the food fund-raising projects of: preparing/serving food for weddings, celebrations and funerals.
Gladys enjoyed gathering seasonal fruits vegetable gardening and flowers. During the following weeks and months these foods were transformed into delicious: pies, jams, jellies and wine. Later, to be served along-side and with home baked bread, rolls and donuts. Well past the time she could gather the fruit, she purchased the fruit to make her own Jams and Jellies. When asked why, she simply stated: “Because it tastes better.” Not one to sit-idle during the evening hours she sewed clothing, knit mittens, sweaters, and afghans. She also enjoyed embroidery and made countless sets of dish towels as gifts.
Dancing and card playing were also enjoyments. She danced whenever she could, well into her 80’s. Card playing: with grandchildren, family members and neighbors during a visit at her home. While card playing with anyone, including young grandchildren, she didn’t ever let you win, you had to earn that victory. As a founding-member of Moonlight Trail Riders Saddle Club, she was of one several club members who prepared and served the food at the annual September, Huntersville Trail Ride. Dancing until the band quit playing on Saturday night. (There was no RV or inflatable-air-mattress to retire to at the end of the evening. She slept in the Huntersville Hall with a blanket). Then up early to prepare Sunday breakfast for the horseback riders.
Gladys is survived by one sister Helen Johnson many nieces and nephews. Her daughters: Susan (Fenske) Keimig and her husband Jerome (Jerry) of Bemidji, Lanet (Delbert) Huttunen of Pembina, ND. Sons: Dan (Anne), Duane (Becky). Many Grandchildren, Great-Grandchildren and Great-great Grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, an infant son (SIDS) an infant brother, two brothers and one sister.
Graveside Service on Friday, August 14, 2020 at 11: 00 a.m. at Evergreen Cemetery in Meadow Township, Wadena County, MN.
Obituary courtesy of Wevley Funeral Homes, Sebeka & Menahga, MN
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