Gladys Smith

Gladys Mae Smith, age 87, of Baxter died Sunday, November 10, 2019 at Essentia Health – St. Joseph Medical Center in Brainerd.  A memorial service will be held at 2PM on Saturday, November 23, 2019 at the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Baxter.  Visitation will be one hour prior to services and a private family burial will be in Scandia Valley Cemetery in Cushing.

Gladys was born on September 20, 1932 in Egan, South Dakota to Epton and Amanda (Peterson) Brandsma.  She married Donald Cook and together the couple had five children. Following Don’s passing, Gladys married Duane Smith and gained four bonus children.  Gladys worked in manufacturing for Larson Boats in Little Falls until her retirement.  She enjoyed being busy, dropping in on her children just to see “what’s new,” betting with her late son-in-law prior to each Vikings game (all debts were paid in full at the end of the season), and wintering in Arizona.  Gladys was a hard worker, always positive, and instilled a strong work ethic in her children.  She had recently moved into Edgewood Vista, Baxter and had three wonderful weeks meeting new friends and socializing.  Gladys will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Gladys is survived by her eight children; 21 grandchildren; 31 great grandchildren; sister, Shirley of Parker, SD; and brother, Richard of Green Bay, WI.  She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Donald Cook and Duane Smith; son, Greg Cook; granddaughter, Leigha Eberle; and son-in-law, Pat Sherer.

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the Ronald McDonald House in Fargo (www.rmhcfargo.org).