Gladys Lorraine Phinney

Gladys Lorraine Phinney, age 95, of Wood Lake, passed away on Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at the Golden Living Center/Lake Ridge in Roseville, MN. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 6, 2012 at Rock Valle Lutheran Church, rural Echo. Visitation will be from 5 – 7 p.m. Wednesday December 5, 2012 at Sunset Funeral Home in Echo. Visitation will continue Thursday from 10 – 11 a.m. Thursday at Rock Valle Lutheran Church. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Interment for Janice Phinney, daughter of Gladys and Merl will take place immediately after her mothers. Online condolences may be placed at www.sunsetfuneralassociation.com. The Sunset Funeral & Cremation Association of Echo and Wabasso are handling the arrangements for the family. Gladys Lorraine Phinney was born on June 10, 1917 to Edward and Thea (Edwards) Peterson in Canby, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed at First English Lutheran Church in Canby and graduated from Canby high school in 1935, where she also attended normal school for teacher's training. After graduation, Gladys taught in rural schools for 6 years. In 1941, after WWII started, Gladys attended Radio and Electronic School in Minneapolis for 3 months, where she learned Morse code and mechanics and then attended St. Louis University to continue studying for another 3 months. Following this, she taught Morse code to soldiers at Sioux Falls Air Base until civilian teachers were replaced in 1944. She then assisted her 3 brothers with bookwork for their farm and trucking business. In 1946 Gladys met Merl Phinney after he returned from the army, and they were married on December 7, 1947 in Canby, MN. They lived on a farm in the Wood Lake area where Gladys was a homemaker. In 1961 Gladys and Merl built and moved to a new house about a mile from their previous farm house. Gladys and Merl were members of the Rock Valle Lutheran Church in Echo where Gladys was secretary and treasurer of the Ladies Aid for many years. Gladys and Merl enjoyed traveling, dancing, card club, spending time at their lake home near Villard MN, and socializing with family and friends. Gladys was also an avid crossword puzzle fan. Although the last few years were difficult with dementia and cancer, Gladys always maintained a good sense of humor and a strong spirit. On Wednesday, November 28, 2012, Gladys passed away at the Golden Living Center in Roseville MN, at the age of 95. She will be greatly missed. Gladys is survived by two children, Leanne (Mark Schultz) Phinney and Jay Phinney of Minneapolis, two sisters, Hazel Adkins of Canby, MN, and Alta Mae Krant of Glencoe, MN, and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Merl, daughter, Janice Phinney, three brothers, Conrad, Elroy and Archie Peterson, and a sister, Mildred Ludtke. Blessed be her memory.