Gladys Larson

Gladys Gertrude Linnihan Larson was called to her heavenly home Saturday October 19, 2013 at her home of 30 years in Mesa AZ. Gladys, known to all as "Sis", was born June 19, 1915 in Red Lake Falls MN to Josephine Keifenheim and William Linnihan. Sis and her twin, Glenn, were the eldest of seven children born to Josie and Bill and the first of two sets of twins. Sis met Bernard Arthur Larson (Herman MN) on the dance floor in Sebeca MN while she was in teaching college. He felt she was the most beautiful girl at the dance and she enjoyed his attentiveness. They were married on Thanksgiving Day, November 30, 1939 at St. Joseph's Church in Red Lake Falls, Minnesota, by Rev. Fr. Lemire. Bernie never did become a proficient dancer, but he remained a devoted, caring husband for 72 years and he humored Sis by taking her to Valentine's dances for most of their married life. Sis and Bernie lived in many towns before they had their family, Waseca, Sebeca, Chicago, and Biloxi Mississippi before and after World War II. Sis was a communicator. She liked to write letters to her sibs who lived across the country. The paper was never quite big enough for all she had to say, the last sentence often ran right up the side of the page. Before she had her own children, Sis would entertain her nieces and nephews in Minneapolis. Sis would bring them on the Minneapolis street cars, take them shopping at Dayton's, visit the Como Zoo, and travel to see the big statue of an American Indian in front of St. Paul City Hall. The highlight would be a visit to the Foshey Tower and the modern' cafeteria. In addition to being a big sister to six siblings, Sis also was a country school teacher, a retail store clerk at Macy's and Marshall Fields, and a secretary to many business offices. Sis and Bernie felt very blessed when they adopted two girls from Catholic Charities after moving to Bloomington MN; Mary Jo in August and then in April, Wendy Ann. Their hands were full with two babies only 8 months apart. She still made time for her family. She would visit her sisters who lived in Florida. Her niece remembers that the Linnihan sisters were always getting into mischief. In Florida they would visit rich peoples' home who were absent, peeking into windows and scurrying away when caught. She sewed twin dresses for her girls, took them to visit grandma Josie in Red Lake Falls, arranged piano lessons, was a brownie leader and taught the whole pack how to sew. She typed her husband's dissertation, even making the many corrections, long before the age of computers. She volunteered at her children's schools of Assumption Church and Academy of Holy Angels, Richfield MN. She volunteered teaching English to and visiting with immigrant Vietnamese families who relocated to the US after the war, and even went so far as to take Vietnamese classes herself to better communicate with her new friends. She was a long-standing member of the Bloomington Women's Club, and served as its secretary, treasurer, and President. Several nieces came to live with Sis and Bernie in Bloomington when they were getting their start in a first job. They were treated like one of the family. Cheri remembers that Sis was the hostess of her bridal shower and even hosted the after wedding buffet. Mary Jo will always be grateful that her mother and father welcomed her birth mother into their home in 1983 when she first met her birth mother. They both thanked each other for the role they each had played in Mary Jo's life. When Bernie retired at age 70 they moved to Leisure World in Mesa AZ. Sis took up golf, couples' bridge, and sang in the chorus for many years. Sis always enjoyed entertaining the relatives and playing the piano. She was always the gracious hostess. Sis's closest sister in age and friendship was Ruth Gagner (Crookston), who passed away in 2009. She was also preceded in death by husband Bernie (July 4, 2012), twin Glenn (Spokane WA), her brother Danny (Chandler AZ), and her sisters Erma Ritchey (Fergus Falls), and Marie Horton (Florida). Her remaining sister Mae Bach lives in Exeter, New Hampshire near her youngest daughter. Sis is survived by daughters Mary Jo of Boston and Wendy Ann of Seattle, a granddaughter Natalie and great-grandson Noland also of Boston, a brother-in-law Donald Larson (Herman MN) and many nieces and nephews and their families. A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, October 26, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Charles Catholic Church in Herman, Minnesota with Fr. Mike Kellogg Celebrant. Pallbearers will be Thomas Ritchey, Todd Ritchey, Bruce Staggert, Scott Staggert, John Gagner and Chad Mead. Honorary Pallbearer will be Donald Larson. Interment will be in St. Charles Catholic Cemetery, rural Herman. Visitation will be held Saturday morning from 10:00 a.m. until service time.