Gladys Bertha Klein was born March 15, 1908, the eldest child of Francis M. and Betty Bertha (Swenson) Klein. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith. At an early age she moved with her family to a farm west of Thief River Falls. For some time, she worked in Minneapolis, but lived almost all of her life in Norden and Sanders Townships in Pennington County, MN.

On June 29, 1930 Gladys was united in marriage to Jesse Bakke at St. Hilaire, MN. The couple farmed west of Thief River Falls, in Sanders Township. Gladys worked at Land O Lakes for many years at the Turkey Processing Plant. She was active in 4-H where she was an adult leader, Farmers Union where she was treasurer, Good Cheer Club and Zion Lutheran Church. Gladys sang with the Silvertones Choir at Zion. She spent time visiting residents at Valley Home and at the Northwest Medical Center in Thief River Falls, MN. She enjoyed playing the piano, sewing, crocheting, and playing cards. In the fall of 1995, she moved to Boise, ID where she lived with her daughter and family. She enjoyed visiting with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. From time to time she would go to California to visit with her other daughter and son and grandchildren.

Survivors include two daughters, Dorothy (Bernie) Moore, Boise, ID and Janice (James) Schaefer, Carson, CA; one son, Arthur J. (Jane) Bakke, Carson, CA; one son in law Fred Hancock, Sacramento, CA; two sisters, Amelia Elofson, Grand Forks, ND and Ruth Oen, Thief River Falls, MN; one brother, Alfred Klein, Des Plains, IL; nine grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Gladys was preceded in death by husband, Jesse in 1979; her parents, daughter, Beatrice K. Hancock; grandson, Karl Reger; one sister Evelyn Klein, one brother Reuben Klein, and one nephew Rodney Klein.

The family asks for no flowers and that all memorials are preferred to be given to Zion Church in her name.