Gladys Kugler

Gladys Kugler, 90, of rural Erhard, peacefully went home to her Lord, Thursday, April 24. 2014, at Pioneer Care Center in Fergus Falls.

She was born February 12, 1924, in Friberg Township, to Abner and Sophia (Clambey) Davidson. She always shared the story of how her mother Sophia ended up delivering her at home alone while Abner rushed to get help. She was baptized at Maine Presbyterian Church and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church. She has since been a longtime member of Stavanger Lutheran Church.

She grew up on the family farm and attended country school in rural Friberg Township and later served as clerk on the school board of this same country school.

Gladys and Marvin Kugler grew up as neighbors and fell in love. They were married on August 10, 1939, in Fergus Falls. The couple farmed in Friberg Township for 38 years.

Most of all, Gladys loved her family and was a devoted prayer warrior for each of them. Her happiest times were those spent with family. Gladys was known for her talent for and love of crafts. For many years she grew, painted and sold miniature pumpkins at Service Food and Lake Region Hospital Gift Shop. She was known for her excellent cooking and hosted Thanksgiving dinners for her family. They loved her pear sauce, caramel rolls, apple crisp, and her ability to roast a delicious stuffed Teal duck. Dancing was another thing that Gladys loved and at the end of her life she often reminisced about the wonderful times spent with Marvin and friends at Spruce Lodge Dance Hall. She and Marvin raised large vegetable and flower gardens and they both loved watching the many birds that would visit their feeders, especially the Cardinals and hummingbirds. She was proud to tell you that she had read through the Bible 2 times, and treasured her weekly visits (for many years) from close friend and Pastor Arlow Hushagen. Family treasures the memories of many Sunday evening visits at her home where she always made sure the grandchildren and great-grandchildren had plenty of popcorn, rolls, cookies and pop. Another favorite memory is the times the grandchildren would come to the farm to swim in High Island Lake. She always remarked that her life had been very blessed and among those blessings were her daughters-in-law and son-in-law. She made sure everyone knew that she loved them as much as if they were her own children. In regard to her large immediate family, which numbers near 80, she would turn to Marvin and say, “Look what we started, Marvin!”

Preceding her in death were her parents, Abner and Sophia Davidson; husband of 73 years, Marvin in September of 2012; son, Errol in November of 2012; two infant brothers, Ellsworth and Elmer Davidson; sister, Bessie (Orrin “Buzz”) Abbott; brothers-in-law, Vernon (Gladys) Kugler, Robert Kugler, Raymond Genz, Erwin Gilbertson, Harold Duenow and Richard Thompson; sisters-in-law, Violet (Art) Skogen, Velda (Vernon) Buchholz.

Survivors include her children: Gary (Ruthy) Kugler, Brenda (Larry) Peasley, Phil (Lori) Kugler and daughter-in-law, JoAnn Kugler, all of Erhard; her grandchildren, Greg (Julie) Kugler, Rick (fiancé, Sheila Johnson) Kugler, Joel (Patsi) Kugler, Danny (Maggie) Willert, Leon (Stephanie) Kugler, Casey (Susan) Kugler, Missy (Rob) Larson, Stephanie (Brad) Anderson, Amber (Seth) Simonson, Adam Peasley, Ben Kugler and Kristen Kugler; 29 great-grandchildren; 15 great-great grandchildren; three sisters-in-law, Lila Duenow, Sylvia Thompson and Vivian Kugler. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, friends, and her very special companion, her cat, “Kitty.”

Blessed be the sweet memory of Gladys Kugler.

Visitation: 4-6 p.m. Sunday, April 27, 2014 with a 5:30 p.m. prayer service at Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls.
Service : 11 a.m. Monday, April 28, 2014 at Stavanger Lutheran Church in rural Fergus Falls.
Clergy: Pastors Troy Tysdal and Ben Hosch
Interment: Silent Vale Cemetery in rural Underwood.
Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls