Gladys Cecelia Vick Anderson was born September 2, 1907, in Canby, Minnesota, to Alfred J. and Helen (Gilbertson) Vick. Following the deaths of her infant brother and parents, at age seven Gladys was then raised in the home of Lena Bjornstad, Canby, Minnesota. Upon graduation at the age of 16, Gladys completed the required two years of Normal Training to become a school teacher and began teaching in a small rural school on the day of her 18th birthday. While teaching in Adrian, Minnesota, on May 31, 1935, with the year's final dismissal, streams of excited children hastily exited the building. Shortly after, this teacher follows quiet halls sharing good-byes with staff members then walked a short distance from the school yard, she reached her destination, and without hesitation entered the Lutheran parsonage. Cradling a bridal bouquet of "just picked" colorful tulips received from her students, the young school teacher exchanged wedding vows with Clarkfield, Minnesota, resident, Melvin R. Anderson. Gladys and Melvin were blessed with 51 years of marriage until Melvin's passing in May 1986. During Gladys' 52 Clarkfield community years, in addition to the roles and duties of a farm wife, and mother of four children, Gladys continued her passion of teaching young minds serving 30 years as teacher and Superintendent in Adrian, Boyd, Hills-Beaver Creek, Luverne, and Clarkfield. Additionally, Gladys volunteered her time and many talents forming first time Clarkfield organizations such as 4-H and Girl Scouts. She actively participated with leadership in numerous civil and church organizations, including Sunday School Superintendent, Garden Club, Sons of Norway, Senior Citizens, Clarkfield Advocate journalist, and among her favorite as a Norwegian tutor. Later years, her love of journalism was put to task as a radio reporter sharing Clarkfield and surrounding communities local news and Norwegian jokes over KDMA's airways. Although Gladys received official recognition many times for various achievements, her richest rewards came with the blessings of scores of friendships harvested throughout the Clarkfield area. Following 52 years in Clarkfield, Gladys became a Kansan resident on September 22, 1987, for 12 years. Shortly into her residency she continued her hobbies of gardening, sewing, crocheting, piano and tutoring the first local Norwegian class. Gladys became involved in Federated Women's Club, Scandinavian Club, Goddard United Methodist Women's Club, and Keen Klub, and again lend her journalistic talents through the local newspaper reporting weekly community events in her "Town Talks" column. She is survived by daughters, Darlene Cusick of Goddard, Kansas and Ardella Erickson, New Ulm, Minnesota; and son Dale Anderson of Northpole, Alaska. She is also survived by cousins, Irene, Inez and Helen Bjornstad of Canby, Minnesota; 10 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Melvin R. Anderson; son Jerry Anderson; parents, Alfred and Helen Vick; and half-sister Hazel Johnson. Visitation Thursday, January 6, 2000 * 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Lynner Funeral Home, Clarkfield, Minnesota Funeral Service Friday, January 7, 2000 * 1:00 p.m. Augustana Lutheran Church, Clarkfield, Minnesota Officiating, Pastor Terry Brandt Organist, Kathy Dufrane Vocal Music, David Rupp "In the Garden" "Shall We Gather at the River" Casket Bearers Jeff Cusick, Mel Cusick Kevin Moe, Norman Nelson Robert Stephen, Bill Willander Final Resting Place Fridhem Lutheran Cemetery, Tyro Township Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota Arrangements by Lynner Funeral Home Since 1891 Clarkfield Minnesota