Gladys Mae (Hartog) Siefkes

On Thursday, September 20, 2018, Gladys (Hartog) Siefkes left her earthly life to spend eternity in Heaven with Jesus, her Lord and Savior.

Gladys was born, April 29, 1936 in Kanaranzi Township to Wubbo and Emma (Mess) Hartog. She married Henry Siefkes Jr. on June 19, 1959 at the First Baptist Church, in Luverne, MN.

Her parents died at a young age, from 1939 ~ 1947 she lived in Adrian with the George Hartog family. Then in 1947 she lived with her foster parents Klaas and Sena Hartog. She attended Adrian Public School and graduated with honors in 1954. During high school she participated in Choral music groups, Declam and class plays. She received a one year academic scholarship from the Adrian Public School to attend the college of her choice in the educational field. She was an active 4~H member for nine years.

She earned a teaching certificate from Mankato State Teachers College in 1957. In 1959 she earned a B.S. degree in Elementary Education from Mankato State College and taught third grade at Slayton and Lake Crystal, MN. She was a volunteer teacher at Calvary Christian School and a Headstart teacher in Worthington. She earned an Early Childhood Special Education Licensure from Mankato State University. She retired Worthington District 518 after thirty six years of teaching.

In 1951 she received Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior. Her personal faith reflected in her service to the church and to others. She was a Sunday school teacher for over fifty years, deaconess, Awana worker, Bible camp counselor, youth worker, church clerk, ladies group president, soloist, choir member, vacation bible school teacher and church cleaner.

Her special talents given to her from God were decorating floral centerpieces and humorous skits. She enjoyed cooking, especially pies. Gladys also enjoyed studying the Bible, glass etching and playing the piano for her own enjoyment.

Gladys is survived by her sister Sue (Cliff) McMartin, Brandon, SD; her brother Edward (Linda) Hartog, Sacramento, CA; and four foster brothers, Rodney, Donald, John and Robert, many nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Henry in 2011, brothers Albert, George and Marvin, parents and foster parents and a foster brother Richard Hartog.

   Funeral will be Thursday at 11:30 am at the Dingmann Funeral Home, in Worthington, officiated by Pastor Phil Siefkes. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Thursday. Burial will be in the Worthington Memorial Gardens Cemetery after the luncheon.

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