Gladys Trites

Gladys Mary “GM” Trites, 77, a resident of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, died Wednesday, September 14, 2011, at her home. Gladys was born on March 4, 1934, on the family farm in Maine Township, rural Underwood, Minnesota, to Van and Gladys (Shepley) Trites. She grew up in rural Erhard and graduated from Underwood High School in 1951. Gladys worked for Northwestern Bell as an operator in Fargo, North Dakota following high school. Later, she moved to Minneapolis and provided childcare for several families. She graduated from the Minnesota School of Business in 1955. In the early 1970’s, she returned to the family farm in Otter Tail County to care for her ailing parents. After their death, she moved to Fergus Falls, and then to Minneapolis where she worked as a cook for the John Cowles family for several years. In the mid-1980s she returned to Fergus Falls where she worked in several group homes. Gladys loved to sew and was known for her great cooking skills. Her hobbies included making dolls, collecting dolls from all over the world, and reading, but sewing was her true passion as she made dolls, toys, and blankets as gifts for children and missionaries. As a young woman, Gladys belonged to a 4-H club and attended the Maine Presbyterian Church. Preceding her in death were her parents; two sisters, Beatrice Trites and Hulda Butcher; and five brothers, Bernard, Fillmore, Russell, Van Jr., and Kenneth. Gladys Mary is survived by a sister, Patricia Hunt of Minot, ND; two brothers, Harry (Helen) Trites of Overland Park, KS, and Chester Trites of Pelican Rapids; along with many nieces and nephews. Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the church Service: 2 p.m. Saturday, September 17, 2011 at the Maine Presbyterian Church, Maine Clergy: Reverend Glenn Lord Interment: Silent Vale Cemetery, Maine, Minnesota Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls, Minnesota