1921 – Gladys Harriet Feste – 2017
Gladys Feste was born on September 19, 1921 on the family farm southwest of Cottonwood, Minnesota to Martin and Adelia Nelson Ree. She grew up on various farms in the Cottonwood area. Gladys graduated from Russell High School in 1939 and went on to attend Teacher Training in Montevideo, Minnesota. On December 29, 1945 she and Clarence Feste were married at First English Lutheran Church in Tyler, Minnesota. Following their marriage they farmed in Ellsborough Township and raised their six children. Gladys later returned to school attending Southwest State University in Marshall, Minnesota and was a member of the Charter Class graduating in 1971 with a Degree in Elementary Education. Gladys taught fifth grade in Ruthton, Minnesota for 18 years. In 1996 they moved to Slayton, Minnesota. Clarence passed away on December 16, 2015. In July 2017 Gladys moved to the Maple Lawn Nursing Home in Fulda, Minnesota where she passed away on Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at the age of 96. She was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton and a past member of Ellsborough Lutheran Church in rural Balaton, Minnesota where she was active in Ladies Aid, Bible Study, and taught Sunday school. Gladys enjoyed spending time with family and friends, Lefsa making, gardening, reading, canning, travels, and genealogy research.
Survivors include five children and their spouses: Clare and Deb Feste, Lake Wilson, MN, Karen and Terry Dahleen East Bethel, MN, Curt and Marian Feste Balaton, MN, Kermit and Nancy Feste Sioux Falls, SD, Corrine and Charlie Herrig Comfry, MN; one son-in-law Alishah Azad, Orono, MN; nine grandchildren: Michael and Wendy Feste, Dr. Jessica and Dr. Nicholas Dziurkowski, Daniel and Amanda Feste, Adam and Cathy Feste, Annie and Noah Wieme, Sara and Brent Thooft, Darren Feste, Christopher Azad and Emily Azad; two step-grandchildren: Kristi Myers and Angela and Joe Stoddard; 12 great-grandchildren: Evelyn and Hannah Dziurkowski, Clara, and Elsie Feste, Barron, Camryn, and Avery Feste, Gavin, Jaelyn and Kamden Wieme, and Tenley, and Liam Thooft; two step-great-grandchildren: Abrielle Myers, and Liam Stoddard. She is also survived by two siblings: Walter Ree, Sioux Falls, SD and Arlene Bendix, Luverne, MN. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Clarence; daughter Carolyn Azad; infant sister Ruth Ree; six siblings: Arvid Ree, Erna Hannaford, Thelma Bossard, Norman Ree, Marvin Ree, and Deloris Fisher.
Funeral services were held at Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton, MN on Monday, December 11, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Dawn Quame officiating. The organist was LaDean Lang with special music by Heidi Winter. The pallbearers were her grandchildren. Interment is at Ellsborough Lutheran Church in rural Balaton, MN. To send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com
