Gladys M. Pfeifer, 90, Hastings, MN,
formerly of Bowbells, ND, passed away on Thursday, October
2, 2008, in her home.
Gladys Mildred Swenson was born October 9, 1917, in Canby,
MN the daughter of Carl and Ella (Samuelson) Swenson. In
March of 1920 at the age of four, she moved with her family
to Bowbells, ND. At the age of fifteen she worked on a ranch
in Wyoming for seven months. In 1934 she drove to New York
City with a friend in a new 1934 Ford Coupe, where she
worked and lived for two years.
She returned home to Bowbells, ND for Christmas in 1936 and
stayed. She met Hilbert Berthold Pfeifer at a house party
through his sister Marie Cron. It was love at first sight.
They courted and were married January 28, 1938 in Kenmare,
ND. They moved to Minnesota where they lived for a year,
working together for a family on a farm in Lafayette, MN.
They then moved back to Bowbells, ND, working for Sandy
Wiper, helping with the farming and housework.
After Hilbert Jr., Dwight, and Dwaine arrived, they decided
to rent a farm, buy machinery, cows and 500 chickens. With
the arrival of Gerald, Norris and Ella Marie the family was
complete.
In 1950, with six children, Hilbert and Gladys started their
own farm. Gladys was a devoted loving farm wife because of
the values of hard work, faith in God and love of the land
they had a wonderful family farm life. Hilbert and Gladys
retired from farming in 1978. They moved off the farm into
Bowbells in 1986. In the winters they lived in Arizona.
In 1997, Gladys's husband Hilbert passed away. In 2001 she
moved to assisted living in River Falls, Wisconsin where her
daughter lived. She resided in Wisconsin for four years.
When Ella Marie and her husband, Jerry moved to Hastings,
MN, Gladys moved into Hastings Regina Assisted Living, where
she resided until God called her home on October 2, 2008.
Gladys was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Bowbells,
and Bethlehem Lutheran Women's Organization. She was a
member of the American Legion Auxiliary and Lakeside
Homemakers Club. Gladys's lifetime interests was her loving
family, gardening, golf, bingo, cards, cross-stitch, music
and shared laughter.
Those who shared in her life, sons, Hilbert B. (Joyce)
Pfeifer, Jr., Dodge Center, MN, Dwaine (Carolyn) Pfeifer,
Phoenix, AZ, Dwight (Iva) Pfeifer, Mesa, AZ, Jerry (Ollie
Ann) Pfeifer, Bowbells, ND and Norris (Rynnene) Pfeifer,
Enterprise, AL; daughter, Ella Marie (Jerry) Gustafson,
Hastings, MN; 17 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren;
sister, Arlene (Art) Eklund, Crosby, ND; brother, Elden
Swenson, Bowbells; sisters-in-law, Ester Swenson, Port
Angeles, WA, Marion Swenson, Irene Swenson and Dorthea
Pankow, all of Bowbells; numerous nieces, nephews and
cousins survive.
Gladys was preceded in death by her husband, Hilbert; her
parents, Carl and Ella Swenson; brothers, Manfred, Bertil,
Henry, Donald Swenson and daughter-in-law, Judy Pfeifer.
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