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Gladys Helen Reinisch • 1929 - 2011 Gladys was born March 21, 1929 on the family farm in Cameron Township, rural Ward County North Dakota to Albert and Ellen (Hansen) Nordlum. She attended the township school through the 8th grade and was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Ryder, in 1943. Growing up during the Depression was difficult, at best. She thrived at helping out Annie Semmen, Katie Reinisch, and other area families with household chores. She established early on the reputation of being a hard worker. After moving to Minot, she worked at the old Hamburger Express near the legendary High 3rd. She married Robert M. Reinisch on October 1, 1949 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Minot. They farmed for Harry and Tillie Eck north of Minot until land was sold for the new Minot Air Force Base. They settled back into Minot, where she worked various jobs through the years, including selling Tupperware, and serving at the 52 Club and McDowell’s Big Boy. She and her son, Earl, canvassed many neighborhoods delivering the Magic City Sun. Gladys was a 1950’s style homemaker; having your best friend living next door. She and Nancy Self raised quite a brood! Everyone appreciated her abilities in becoming an accomplished seamstress and well-seasoned cook. There was always room for one more at her table. Life was absent of modern technology and modern conveniences, yet there was time to be a Scout Leader, for card and board games, playdough, penmanship lessons, and crossword puzzles. For her, birthdays and birthday parties were very special events. She couldn’t meet someone without knowing their birthday. Gladys and Robert were Watkins dealers for over 30 years. Traveling to flea markets and conventions became a flourishing pastime. She has acclaim to numerous Top Sales Awards and lifelong friendships. Robert passed away on December 9, 1999. Gladys faced many life-changing health issues over the past 12 years; yet she felt blessed to have shared them with her friend and faithful caregiver, LaVonne Gullickson. In recent months she has been residing at Trinity Homes, spending her days always ready to play a game of whist or marbles, and entertaining the aides with her many stories. Her life has been further blessed after her brother, Lloyd, finally found us after many years of searching. Recent years have been spent making up for lost time. Being a loving and caring grandmother came easily for her. Her grandchildren will continue to share their memories of the cat's birthday parties, playing Watkins store, cups of hot jello, warm batches of playdough, sleepovers, and raiding the rhubarb bars. She is survived by her daughters: Peggy (James) Spratt, Joann (Richard) Johnson, June (Kenneth) Stroklund, and son Earl (JuLie) Reinisch, all of Minot. Grandchildren: Andy Stroklund and girlfriend, Marie Friedt, Kindred ND, Jessica (Royal) Hebert and Erica (Landon) Tuff, Portland OR, Beth (Drew) Troyan, Misawa Air Base, Japan, Heatthyr (Kyle) Haugeberg, Schawyn Reinisch and girlfriend, Andrea Purseglove, and Kharys Reinisch, all of Minot. Sisters: Valborg (Kermit) Johnson, Stanley, and Marlys (Wendell) Hanson, Ryder, and brother, Lloyd Albrecht, Munich ND, and numerous nieces, nephews, and special friends. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Robert, her parents, her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Katie and Gust Reinisch, and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. Funeral: Friday, January 13, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot, ND. Visitation and prayer service: Visitation, Thursday, January 12, 2012 (today) from noon to 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m., all at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot, ND. Burial: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Minot, ND.
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Gladys Helen (Nordlum) Reinisch, 82, Minot, peacefully passed away in her sleep the morning of Monday, January 9th, 2012.