Gladys Crowser, age 100, of Hendricks, MN, passed away Thursday, August 18, 2022 at the Avantara Nursing Home in Milbank, SD.  Visitation will be Saturday, August 27, 2022 from 12 – 1 pm at the Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel in Hendricks, MN.  A Private Family Service will be held with burial in the Hendricks City Cemetery.  Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel in Hendricks is entrusted with the arrangements.

Gladys Opal Crowser was born on July 25, 1922, to Oscar and Lena (Anderson) Vesledahl. She grew up on the family farm near Winger, MN, the oldest of five children.  After completing grade school in rural Winger, she attended the Northwestern Minnesota Ag school in Crookston, where she participated in various vocal groups. She was particularly proud of a 4H trip to the State Fair to sing with a quartet.  During World War II, Gladys and her aunt Peg worked on a salmon-canning ship in Alaska. Following this, she married Duane Crowser of Winger on January 23, 1946. They moved to Hendricks, MN where, together with Ernie Nornes, they owned and operated a successful beekeeping business. Initially, they struggled financially which likely led to her passion for finding good deals and using coupons. For many years Duane’s mother lived with the family, and Gladys welcomed her into their home.  Faith and family were always a priority for Gladys. She will be remembered as being an expert homemaker, with large, fruitful gardens, especially appreciated by her children and grandchildren. Gladys perfected her cooking and baking skills, even winning blue ribbons at the county fair at age 85 and always insisting on serving healthy, balanced meals. In addition, she created numerous beautiful quilts which will continue to warm her family and others. She enjoyed volunteering her time at the local thrift store and was active in church and the homemakers’ club. Gladys recently celebrated her 100th birthday.

Surviving Gladys is her son, Allen (Cindy) Crowser, of Alexandria, MN; daughter, Rita (Warren) Eidem, of Rochester, MN; daughter, Val Curtis, of Dallas, TX; and son, Greg (Denise) Crowser, of Canby, MN; nine grandchildren: Aaron (Holly) Crowser, Erica (Josh) Klaetsch, Josh (Wendy) Eidem, Nathan Eidem, Matthew (Kate) Eidem, Zachary Curtis, Ashley Curtis, Morgan (fiancé Miles) Crowser, and Jacob Crowser; ten great-grandchildren; and sister, Marvie (Raymond) Stromstad, of Beltrami, MN.  Preceding Gladys in death were her parents; husband Duane; brother, Alden (Alice) Vesledahl; sister, Arlene (Marvin) Zahl; and sister, Bonnie (Charles) Holmquist.

Gladys was wonderfully cared for by multiple organizations for the last decade. Thank you to the staff at the nursing homes of Hendricks, Clear Lake, and Milbank, and to the Prairie Lakes Hospice.