In Memory of Gladys M. Boyens

Officiating REVEREND ROSS FRITZ
Music “HOW GREAT THOU ART” “WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS” “IN THE GARDEN” CONGREGATION SUSAN LAMB, ORGANIST
Casket Bearers: RON OLSON, JAMES OLSON, KEVIN BOYENS, KEITH BOYENS, KRISTIE JACOBSON, TOM JACOBSON
Interment NISHNABOTNA CEMETERY MANILLA, IOWA
Visitation Wednesday September 8, 2010, After 5:00 PM at Ohde Funeral Home, Manilla
Funeral Service Thursday September 9, 2010, 10:30 - AM at Trinity Lutheran Church, Manilla
Interment Nishnabotna Cemetery

Gladys M., daughter of Fred and Johanna (Lorenzen) Boyens, was born February 20, 1922, on a farm near Castletown, South Dakota. When Gladys was two years old, the family moved to a farm near Irwin, Iowa. She attended nearby country school with her brothers Lester and LaVerne and sister Delpha. Another brother Alvin died at a young age. Gladys had many fond memories of riding horses and playing with a special curly haired doll. She helped with milking the cows, gathering eggs and other chores on the farm as well as in the house.

In 1933, when Gladys was in third grade, the family moved to Aspinwall where they lived for nine years. Gladys was baptized on April 19, 1942, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Manilla by Pastor Israel. On December 25, 1948, she was confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison. In 1952 she moved with her parents to Manilla following a number of years in Denison. After the death of her father, Gladys and her mother remained in their home in Manilla next to her sister and brother-in-law Delpha and Clyde Olson. Gladys helped care for her mother and helped with the housework. After her mother’s death, Gladys continued to live in the home with the assistance her brother Lester and nephew Keith.

Gladys was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Manilla and looked forward to the visits from her pastor. Gladys spent her time watching TV, crocheting, making rugs and other craft items. She loved to have visitors who would stop in for a chat and to see her crafts. When she was no longer able to remain in her home, she became a resident of the Manilla Manor Nursing Home 1997 where she had volunteered in the craft room for several years. Gladys continued her craft work and enjoyed bingo, bowling and taking care of the parakeet in her room. Gladys was extremely fond and proud of her many nieces and nephews and their families.

Gladys’ health began to fail quite suddenly and was transferred to Creighton Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska on Saturday, September 4, 2010. She died there later the same day at the age of 88 years, 6 months and 13 days. Preceding her in death are her parents; three brothers Alvin Boyens as a child; Lester Boyens and wife Betty and Laverne Boyens and sister Delpha and husband Clyde Olson.

She is survived by niece Kristie and husband Tom Jacobson of St. Charles, Minnesota; five nephews Kevin Boyens and wife Janet of Everly, Iowa; Keith Boyens of Manilla; Larry Boyens and wife Nancy of Kiron; Ron Olson and wife Jane of Pasadena, California, and James Olson and wife Heather of Seattle, Washington, sister-in-law Darlene Boyens of Kiron; many great-nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.