Gladys V. Ingebretsen

Gladys V. Ingebretsen passed away on Monday, September 11, 2017, at Eventide in Moorhead, MN, at the age of 97.

Gladys Viola Chelin Ingebretsen was born in Becker County, MN, on July 5, 1920, to Gust and Ida Sahlberg Chelin. At the time of her birth she had an older brother, Ray, and they lived in a few locations in Becker and Clay counties. She was confirmed in Aspelund Lutheran Church near Flom, MN., and later moved to a farm near Ulen before settling near Hawley. Three more brothers were born to Gust and Ida: Melvin, Emil and Clarence. In addition, one brother, Carl, died shortly after birth. She was educated in rural schools, mostly near Hawley, and finished 8th grade, and took a few weeks of 9th grade. Despite only going to school for those years, she was fluent in Swedish and English, pretty good at Norwegian and Spanish, and was an accomplished musician. While living on the farm near Hawley she met a cousin of her neighbors, who would become her husband. Earl C. Ingebretsen of Felton, MN, would come to court her in a Lafayette automobile. World War II broke out and Earl went off to the South Pacific, and when he returned after the war, they were married on December 11, 1945. They Lived on a farm near Felton in Morken Township for all of their married life. During those years, Gladys and Earl had four children and raised them at the farm. Those years as a farm wife and mother were busy ones, as she was involved in her church, and the school activities of her children. She and Earl saw their children grow, graduate and marry. 14 grandchildren put a new bounce in her step, and 23 great-grandchildren would add to the jewels of her crown.

She and Earl were married for nearly 62 years before he passed away in 2007. She is also preceded in death by her parents, all her brothers; daughter, Susan Shaw; daughter-in-law, Janice Ingebretsen, and one great-grandchild, Matthew Shaw.

She is survived by her sons, Burl Lou Ingebretsen, Loren Londa Ingebretsen; daughter, Betty Steven Coleman; son-in-law, Carl Shaw; sisters-in-law, Helen Chelin and Virginia Ingebretsen; 14 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

Gladys entered into the Feast of Eternal Life on Monday, September 11, 2017. Wealth is not measured in monetary terms, but rather in terms of the soul. Gladys was rich beyond measure, as she loved her family and her Lord! It was that same Lord that took her HOME!

Thanks be to God: Who redeems His children and gathers them Home in the evening!

Visitation: Friday, September 15, 2017 from 6:00-7:00 PM with a prayer service beginning at 7, at North Buffalo Lutheran Church, rural Kragnes, MN.

Funeral: Saturday, September 16, 2017 at 11:00 am at North Buffalo Lutheran Church.

Interment: Saturday, September 16, 2017 in Scandia Cemetery, Felton, MN.