1937
Gladys
2010
Gladys Watkins
July 11, 1937 — June 13, 2010
Gladys Ann Wilke was born on July 11, 1937 to William and Vera (Rixe) Wilke in Graceville, MN. She was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Johnson, MN on July 25, 1937, and was confirmed there on May 27, 1951. She graduated from Graceville High School in May of 1955 and was looking forward to celebrating her 55th class reunion this fall.
On July 24th, 1956, Gladys married Robert Watkins at Trinity Lutheran Church in Johnson, MN. To this union, four children were born: Jim, Brenda, Sandra and Bob.
While her children were little, she devoted herself to being a stay at home mom. When they were older, she enjoyed working at Holy Trinity Hospital in the Laundry Department alongside her mother. Prior to her retirement, she worked as a clerk at Larson Pharmacy, where she loved being able to visit with the public.
Gladys and Bob were fortunate to enjoy many motorcycle trips on their Goldwing 1100. They especially enjoyed going to Duluth in the fall to see the leaves change colors. In later years, they went on bus tours and enjoyed the Black Hills, Hoover Dam, Las Vegas, Yellow Stone, Branson and many other points of interest.
Gladys passed away on June 13, 2010 at Grace Home in Graceville, MN, surrounded by her family after a short but courageous fight with cancer. She was a constant source of amazement to her family with her selflessness. She never complained and always worried more about her family then herself right up to her final moment. She will be dearly missed by many.
Gladys is preceded in death by her parents: William and Vera and one brother: Wilmer “Jake” Wilke.
Gladys is survived by her husband Robert “Bob” of Graceville; sons: Jim (Monica) Watkins of Alexandria, MN and Bob (Sara) Watkins of Fergus Falls, MN; daughters: Brenda (Dean) Pommier of Currie, MN and Sandy (Kevin) O’Leary of Wheaton, MN; 10 Grandchildren; 3 Great-grandchildren; cousins: Norman (Diane) Lange of Maple Grove, MN and Roger (Janice) Wilke of Becker, MN; aunts: Helen Bailey and Rene Hutchinson of Washington; and many friends.
On July 24th, 1956, Gladys married Robert Watkins at Trinity Lutheran Church in Johnson, MN. To this union, four children were born: Jim, Brenda, Sandra and Bob.
While her children were little, she devoted herself to being a stay at home mom. When they were older, she enjoyed working at Holy Trinity Hospital in the Laundry Department alongside her mother. Prior to her retirement, she worked as a clerk at Larson Pharmacy, where she loved being able to visit with the public.
Gladys and Bob were fortunate to enjoy many motorcycle trips on their Goldwing 1100. They especially enjoyed going to Duluth in the fall to see the leaves change colors. In later years, they went on bus tours and enjoyed the Black Hills, Hoover Dam, Las Vegas, Yellow Stone, Branson and many other points of interest.
Gladys passed away on June 13, 2010 at Grace Home in Graceville, MN, surrounded by her family after a short but courageous fight with cancer. She was a constant source of amazement to her family with her selflessness. She never complained and always worried more about her family then herself right up to her final moment. She will be dearly missed by many.
Gladys is preceded in death by her parents: William and Vera and one brother: Wilmer “Jake” Wilke.
Gladys is survived by her husband Robert “Bob” of Graceville; sons: Jim (Monica) Watkins of Alexandria, MN and Bob (Sara) Watkins of Fergus Falls, MN; daughters: Brenda (Dean) Pommier of Currie, MN and Sandy (Kevin) O’Leary of Wheaton, MN; 10 Grandchildren; 3 Great-grandchildren; cousins: Norman (Diane) Lange of Maple Grove, MN and Roger (Janice) Wilke of Becker, MN; aunts: Helen Bailey and Rene Hutchinson of Washington; and many friends.