Gladys Florence Kenyon

Gladys Florence (Hanneman) Kenyon, 100, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Friday, December 9, 2016, at the Broen Home in Fergus Falls.

Gladys was born on September 27, 1916, to Gustave and Bertha (Spilman) Hanneman in Carlisle Township, near Fergus Falls. Gladys was baptized on November 5, 1916, and confirmed on April 30, 1930, at St. John Lutheran Church in Elizabeth and attended country school at District #221 through the eighth grade.

On December 2, 1936, Gladys married the love of her life, Gerald Neil Kenyon, at the St. John Lutheran Church Parsonage in Elizabeth. The couple farmed in Friberg Township, and in the Nashua, Doran and Hawley areas. Neil and Gladys retired to Fergus Falls in 1974. Neil and Gladys were married for 68 years and held hands with one another through their entire lives together. Gladys was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

The Lord was the foundation of Gladys’ life, and she was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Nashua, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Hawley, and Trinity Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. She was active as a Sunday School Teacher, a member of many circles and bible studies, and served the church in many ways. She read the Bible every day and loved the readings of her daily devotions. Gladys enjoyed being a Lake Region Healthcare Cherry Blossom Volunteer for over thirty years.

Gladys grew beautiful flower and vegetable gardens. She also had a special touch for nurturing African violets. She loved to cook and bake, and some of her specialties included homemade bread, caramel rolls, cookies and pies with the best crust many have ever tasted. Everything she made was delicious and enjoyed by many who came for a meal or a cup of coffee. Her hospitality and kindness provided her the opportunity to get to know family and friends well. She had a passion for a clean home and likely had the most sparkling, clean windows in town. She walked every day she was able to, preferably outside and regardless of the weather. She was also an avid reader.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Gustave and Bertha Hanneman; her husband, Gerald “Neil” Kenyon in 2004; and five brothers, Merrill Hanneman, Harold “Pat” Hanneman, Vernon Hanneman, Allan “Bud” Hanneman and Carol (Babe) Hanneman.

Gladys is survived by her daughter, Geraldine “Gerry” (Larry) Fjeld of Fergus Falls; one granddaughter, Dacia (Todd) Johnson of Fergus Falls; two great-grandchildren, Rachel and Matthew Johnson; a sister-in-law, Helen Hanneman of Barnesville; a brother-in-law, Roland (Evie) Kenyon of Fergus Falls, and many nieces, nephews and other family members.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Trinity Lutheran Church Building Fund or to the donor’s choice.

Visitation: 10:00-11:00 AM on Friday, December 16, 2016, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls
Service: 11:00 AM on Friday, December 16, 2016, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls
Clergy: Reverends Noah Rogness, John Christiansen and Roger Lange
Interment: Knollwood Memorial Gardens in Fergus Falls
Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls