Gladys Kalbakdalen, 93, passed away at Hillcrest Nursing Home in Red Lake Falls on October 27, 2007.

Funeral service will be 2 PM, Thursday, November 1, 2007, at St. John Lutheran Church, Red Lake Falls, MN with Reverend Rick Hensel officiating. Burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery, Red Lake Falls, MN.

Visitation will be 5 " 8 PM, Wednesday, October 31, 2007 at Johnson Funeral Service, Red Lake Falls with a 7 PM prayer service and for one hour prior to service at the church, Thursday.

Gladys Marie Fisher was born April 4, 1914, at Grafton, ND, the daughter of George and Mary (Brandon) Fisher. She attended country school at Grafton and graduated from Park River High School.

She was united in marriage to Melvin Kalbakdalen at Crookston, MN. The couple lived at Grafton, ND and in 1948, moved to Red Lake Falls where they farmed. Gladys worked at Hillcrest Nursing Home for 14 years. She raised 6 children of her own and 4 children from her second family. On February 21, 1986, Melvin passed away.

Gladys was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Red Lake Falls, the Ladies Aid, choir and many church organizations. She also was a member of knitting clubs in Grand Forks, ND and Crookston,. She was fond of sewing, cooking, gardening, canning and knitting over 100 Christmas stockings for her grandchildren. Her lab Pal was her constant companion.

She is survived by children: Jean Ogletree, Tucson, AZ, Jim (Joyce) Kalbakdalen, Red Lake Falls, MN and Dean Kalbakdalen, Red Lake Falls, MN; 102 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; brother, Mason (Gale) Fisher, Grafton, ND; daughter-in-law, Joan Kalbakdalen, Red Lake Falls, MN, along with many nieces and nephews.

Gladys is preceded in death by husband, Melvin, sons, Maynard in 2002 and Lowell and wife Margie in 1973, daughter, Marlys, in 1971 and husband Jerry in 1994, grandsons, Scott Kalbakdalen, Bob Kalbakdalen and Jimmy Audette, 2 sisters, Margaret Jaster and Helen Almen, a brother, Wilfred.

ORGANIST: Jennifer Wieland
SOLOIST: Sherry Knott
SELECTIONS: How Great Thou Art
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Im But a Stranger Here #515, Beautiful Savior # 507 and Amazing Grace # 509
CASKETBEARERS: Gladys grandchildren
HONORARY CASKET BEARERS: All of the St. John Lutheran Church members