Gladys Marie Bellows

Our fun-filled, always smiling loving mother Gladys Marie Bellows, 99, earned her angel wings on December 15, 2021, her family said.

“Dear Mom, thanks for reminding me that sugar makes food sweeter, but it is love that makes life sweeter,” one member said.

Gladys was born on Nov. 6, 1922,  in Preston, Minnesota, to Hans and Andrine (Lunde) Holger. After graduating from high school in Harmony, Minnesota, she married her sweetheart, Forrest Bellows, and went to California. After the birth of two sons and Forrest’s stint in the Army they moved to Wyoming, then later to Iowa and Minnesota where they resided for several years. Gladys worked several years as head cook in the Fridley School District in Minnesota.

After retiring they moved to northern Minnesota where they built a lake home – many memories there of family and friends. Later they moved to Mantorville, Minnesota, where they became members of St. John’s Lutheran Church. Gladys liked being involved in the activities there, especially the making of lefse during the holidays.

Forrest died in 1990, and Gladys moved to Sitka in 2004 to be with her three children. She enjoyed volunteering at the White Elephant and making quilts at the Lutheran Church. Reading and working the Sitka Sentinel crossword kept her busy, along with being with family.

Gladys was one of seven siblings all of whom preceded her in death. She is survived by her children, Ken Bellows and Ron Bellows, both of Mesa, Arizona, and Dee Hanson of Sitka.

Her 10 grandchildren are Joanie (Brent) Young of Mt. Vernon, Washington, Kim (Blake) Lanagan of Emory, Texas, Wes Bellows of Fruita, Colorado, Mitchell (Mary) Bellows of Ramsey, Minnesota, Todd (Tonia) Hanson of Sitka, Brian Bellows of Sitka, Juli (Deuce) Audette of Sitka, Jodi Bellows of Soldotna, Shawn Hanson of Sitka, and Blaise Bellows of Juneau.

Several great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren also survive.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, May 9, 2022 at Evergreen Cemetery in Mantorville, MN with a luncheon following at Czaplewski Family Funeral Homes, 801 7th St SE Kasson, MN.

“I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one.

I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun

Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.”