Gladys Julia Rasmussen

**Use this link to view the service: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YrpXnGwFgU

Gladys J. Rasmussen, 91, Grand Forks, ND passed away on Thursday, November 24, 2022 at Valley Senior Living on 42nd Woodside Village, Grand Forks.

Gladys, the daughter of Andrew and Johanna (Christianson) Larson, was born January 7, 1931 in Red Lake County, MN. She was baptized on Feb. 8, 1931 at Salem Lutheran Church, Oklee, MN.  She attended Oklee School and graduated from Oklee High School in May of 1950.  Gladys furthered her education at Mayville’s Teacher College to obtain a Teacher’s Certificate.  Gladys met Ordean Gulson in the “potato fields” of Reynolds, ND as her family would come from Oklee, MN to pick potatoes for Ordean’s parents, Gilbert and Sarah Gulson.  Gladys and Ordean were married on June 17, 1951 at Salem Lutheran Church, Oklee.  Following their marriage, they moved to a home in rural Reynolds, ND.  Gladys worked alongside Ordean in all aspects of the farm. Gladys taught Sunday School and was active in Luther league.  They would often visit family in Oklee, which daughters remember always stopping for licorice at Widman’s Candy.  Following the death of Ordean on Oct. 24, 1980, Gladys continued to farm with her daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Rodger Nygaard.

On November 25, 1983 Gladys married Howard Rasmussen of Grand Forks, ND.  They continued to reside in Grand Forks and spent several winters enjoying the sunshine of Harlingen, TX.  They enjoyed traveling, playing cards, dominoes, and visiting with family and friends.  Howard passed away on Oct. 3, 2015.  Gladys resided at Valley Senior Living since 2012 and enjoyed the many activities and the kindness and support of the staff.  Oh, the stories they could tell!

Gladys had a green thumb and could make anything grow and enjoyed tending to her flower and vegetable gardens.  Using the produce of her garden, her homemade carrot bars were the best, along with her gingerbread cookies. Glady’s smile and contagious laugh brought joy to all those around her or crossed her path.

Gladys is survived by her sister, Betty Opdahl, Cudahy, WI; sister-in-law, Phyllis Larson, South Milwaukee, WI; brother-in-law, Ray Berg, Cudahy, WI; a daughter, Sharon (Rodger) Nygaard, Fargo, ND; a daughter, Barb Durgin, Fargo, ND; step-children, Audrey (Jim) Ostlie, Northwood, ND; Harlan (Lori) Rasmussen, Thompson, ND; Gregory Rasmussen, Northwood, ND; Jan (Roger) Bollier, Huntington, TX; 13 grandchildren; Ross (Anne) Nygaard, Tara (Jon) Bultema, Brian (Rochelle) Durgin, Jay (Monique) Durgin, Shawn Ostlie, Kevin Ostlie, Michael (Lindsay) Ostlie, Jeanette (Brett) Summerville, Melodie (Jim Nush) Rasmussen, Dean Rasmussen, Daniel Rasmussen, Melissa Rasmussen, and Amanda (Matt) Cook; 23 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Gladys was preceded in death by her parents; Siblings, Carl and Henry Larson, Alice (Ernie) Rodman, Evelyn Rabska, Arnold and Kenneth (Jean) Larson, and Betsy Berg; brother-in-law, Galen Opdahl; sister-in-law, Isabel (Carrol) Lebacken; son-in-law, David Durgin.

The Family would like to thank the staff of Valley Senior Living for all their care, support and compassion to Glady’s over the years.

**In Lieu of Flowers, memorials may be directed to the Walle Cemetery Fund, C/O  PO BOX 326 Thompson, ND 58278

Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m. on Friday, December 2, 2022 at Amundson Funeral Home with visitation one hour prior to the service.

Interment: Walle Lutheran Cemetery, rural Thompson, ND.