Gladys L. Howe

Gladys L. Howe, 88, of Rushford, Minn. died on Tuesday, August 31, 2010, at Season's Hospice in Rochester, MN where she had resided for the last two weeks.Gladys was born on February 2, 1922, in rural Rushford, Minn. to Ole and Helmine (Glenna) Kopperud. She was raised on the family farm south of Rushford. Gladys attended Bridge Creek School. On August 23, 1944, she married Walter J. Howe at Highland Prairie Church in rural Peterson, Minn. Gladys farmed with her husband south of Rushford for many years. She was a lifelong member of Highland Prairie Lutheran Church, where she was active in the Ladies Aid, Circle and teaching Sunday School. She was employed for many years at Winona Knitting Mills and later as a cook for the SEMCAC Senior Center and home delivered meal programs. She was known for her love of baking, especially lefse, pies, Norwegian wedding cakes, bread and buns. She also loved to can and preserve the produce grown on the farm. She took great pleasure in preparing and serving food to guests in her home. She loved sewing and embroidery. She made baby blankets with love for grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Gladys was a devoted and loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great-grandmother, and Aunt. She will be dearly missed. Gladys and Walter moved to Stewartville, Minn. in 1996, where they were closer to their beloved family. Gladys lived there until the time of her death. She is survived by one son: Kenneth (Elizabeth) Howe of Stewartville, Minn.; and two granddaughters: Jeshila (Kevin) McGovern and their children, Zachary and Grace of Savage, Minn., and Elsa (Tyler) Maas and their children, Payton and Parker of Rochester, Minn. Gladys was preceded in death by her parents, husband in 2001, two brothers and one sister. The family prefers memorials directed to Highland Prairie Lutheran Church. The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, at Highland Prairie Lutheran Church in rural Peterson, Minn. with the Rev. Wade Davick officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday at Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service in Rushford, and one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church. Please leave a memory of Gladys and sign her online guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com
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