Gladys Bredeson

Gladys Ardell Bredeson, age 89, of Nekoma, ND, passed away on February 18, 2024, at Unity Hospital, Grafton, ND.  

Gladys Gronhovd was born to Oscar and Loretta (Moen) Gronhovd on November 16, 1934, at Borosky Hospital in Langdon, ND.  She married Clarence (Bert) Bredeson on November 23, 1952, and built their home on the farm where she spent her entire life.  Gladys attended grade school at Highland Center and graduated from Nekoma High School.

“This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”  These are the words Gladys lived by.   She loved the mornings and started her day at 4:30 a.m.  She used this time to drink coffee, eat toast with jelly and Velveeta, read the paper, mix up buns and watch the sun rise.  She enjoyed feeding and watching the birds but not so much the squirrels that ate the bird food.  Her heart was made of gold.  She made you feel special and that you were her favorite.  She taught her children how to become the people they are today.  Make sure to say please and thank you, treat others the way you want to be treated, and it is better to give than receive.  She practiced forgiveness; she would say “write it on the chalkboard and erase it.”  She was a life-long member of Nekoma Lutheran Church and cherished her church family. Filling communion glasses, changing altar cloths, buying gifts for the youth and singing loud because someone had to lead.  Card playing, Yahtzee and puzzles were just a few ways of spending time with family.  Square dancing with Bert was a passion of hers along with music.  Her sense of humor was found in her many skits that she was involved with. Gladys was the queen of puns. She had a great sense of humor.   Numerous cards and letters were mailed daily to show people she was thinking of them while many others would anxiously await her annual Christmas card.  Traveling with her four girls was extra special to her, and her three boys made it their priority to visit her regularly and made it possible for her to stay living on the farm.  She was our mom and our sunshine!

Gladys loved her nails to be polished. Come with your nails polished pink in honor of Gladys.

Gladys is survived by sons: Tim (Grace) Bredeson of Fairdale, ND, Terry (Pat) Bredeson of Nekoma, ND, Tom Bredeson of Fairdale, ND; daughters: Kathy (Randy) Good of Finley, ND, Holly (Larry) Gratz of Plymouth, MN, Becky (Dean) Mathiason of Grafton, ND, Julie (Darin) Myrvik of Grand Forks, ND; grandchildren: Casey (Michelle) Bredeson, Luke (Grace) Bredeson, Kent (Monica) Bredeson, Chris (Stevie) Bredeson, Lindsey Gellner, Jenna (Nate) Jorgenson, Jacob Bredeson, Zachary Lester (Emily) Bredeson, Travis Good, Tyler (Kathryn) Good, Tanner Good, Andrea (Kevin Stark) Gratz, Rachel Gratz, Mitchell Gratz, Brittany (Tony) Kornkven, Ashley Mathiason, Reilly (McKynna) Mathiason, Morgan (Dustin) Lindahl, Paige (Jacob Butler) Myrvik; great-grandchildren:  Josiah Bredeson, Sophia Bredeson, Isabelle Bredeson, Viggo Bredeson, Oscar Bredeson, Aksel Bredeson, Gunnar Bredeson, Oliva Bredeson, Brennan Gellner, Kiera Gellner, Eden Jorgenson, Lilah Jorgenson, Sage Jones-Rice, Kynlea Good, Reid Good, Montana Good, Mason Eng, Betsey Eng, Jager Eng, Hazel Mathiason, Luca Mathiason, Laney Lindahl; sisters:  Phyllis Chernich, Shirley Howatt, Carol (Roger) Johnston; and sister-in-law Ella Verke.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bert, sister Lucille (Bob) Heck, brother Orland (Kaye) Gronhovd, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Fern (Clarence) Englund, Hazel (Rex) Rick; and brothers-in-law Bud Verke and Jim Chernich.

A memorial service will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at Nekoma Lutheran Church in Nekoma, ND. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service on Friday, February 23, 2024, at Brooks Funeral Home in Langdon, ND.

Please direct memorials to Nekoma Cemetery, Nekoma Lutheran Church or Edmore Ambulance.