Gladys Hovland

Gladys’s earthly journey began April 29, 1916 and ended May 10, 2013. Gladys’s parents were Dr. Joseph Walter Johnshoy and Helga Miranda (Larsen) Johnshoy. She was born in Fergus Falls, MN. As a child she lived in Fargo, ND and Moorhead, MN where her father taught philosophy and classical languages at Concordia College.

Gladys was the oldest of nine children. She graduated from Moorhead High School in 1934 and Concordia College in 1938. After college she taught High School English at Henning, Minnesota. She also spent some time in Minneapolis” MN where she worked at the stock exchange.

On October 17, 1942 she married Julius “Julie” Martin Hovland. At the time Julius was finishing his studies at Luther Seminary St. Paul, MN. After he completed seminary in 1943, they moved to Absarokee, MT. She was the organist at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Other parishes served were Sunburst Lutheran Church, Sunburst, MT. (1949-1965); Messiah Lutheran Church, Washburn, WI (1965-1973); Trinity Lutheran Church, Wausau, WI (1973-1978); Trinity Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls, MN (1978-1981); Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls, MN (1982). Her husband Julie died in 1982.

After his death she purchased a home in Fergus Falls on the banks of the Otter Tail River where she loved to sit on her deck that she had designed and watch the geese, ducks and especially the swans swim on the water. She loved her flower gardens, vegetable garden, and taking care of her yard. She took great pride in her ability to fix things in the house to make it comfortable for her and her visitors. She loved to have “tea parties” for her friends and visitors. She was fiercely independent living by herself until she was into her 90’s. Part of her daily regimen was to play the piano until she physically wasn’t able to do so.

While living in Sunburst, she was the church organist and also started a children’s choir which remained vital while she was there. She taught piano lessons for many years to local children. Something she took a great deal of pride in was a public library she started in town with another lady.
Because her children were active in various activities she became a sports fan and proudly exclaimed she never missed a game. That love of sports continued as she enjoyed watching her grandchildren’s activities whenever travel would allow it.

When Julie was alive, the two of them were fortunate to be able to take extended trips around the United States and Canada in a Dodge Motor home. This was their “second” home and provided many wonderful memories for them. On these trips it was important to attend worship services in the communities they visited.

Gladys was preceded in death by her father and mother; brothers Rev. Edward Johnshoy Crookston, MN, Dr. Howard Johnshoy St. Peter, MN, Rev. Arthur Johnshoy, Sioux Falls, SD, Dr. Norman Johnshoy Fresno, CA; sisters Lois Grindland (Bob) Willmar, MN and Dorothy Klyve (Sam) Mankato, MN.

She is survived by her brother Rev. Ralph Johnshoy (LaVonne) Sioux Falls, SD and sister Ruth Aasland (Harold) Tucson, AZ; sisters-in-law, Naomi Johnshoy (Edward) Crookston, MN, Velma Johnshoy (Arthur) Sioux Falls, SD, Lois Johnshoy (Norman) Fresno, CA; son David Hovland (Wilma) Eau Claire, WI, daughter JoAn Sanders (Jerry) Stow, OH; grandchildren, Lance Hovland (Racheal) River Falls, WI, Sara Hovland, St. Louis Park, MN, Julie Silverstein (Brad) Huntersville, NC, Cody Sanders; great grandchildren, Anika Hovland, Henry Hovland, Hudson Silverstein, Nolan Silverstein. In addition to the above, many nephews and nieces.

Arrangements are being handled by the Pederson – Volker Chapel, Chippewa Falls, WI and Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls, MN. Services will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls, MN 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 23, 2013. The family requests that any gifts or memorials be made out to the “Rev. Julius M. and Gladys M. Hovland Award”. This has been established at Concordia College. Address: Advancement Office, Concordia College, 901 8th St. S, Moorhead, MN, 56562.

The family would also like to thank and give appreciation to the staff of the Rutledge Home, Chippewa Falls, WI for their care of her in her stay there. In addition thanks and appreciation to the Doctors and Nurses at St. Joseph hospital while she was administered to there.