Thief River Falls – Gladys Narverud, 92, of Thief River Falls, passed away on Thursday, December 7, 2023 at the Thief River Care Center in Thief River Falls, surrounded by her loving family.
Gladys Mahla was born March 2, 1931 in Gervais Township, Red Lake County, the daughter of Bennie and Olga (Kyllo) Mahla. She was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Plummer. Gladys attended school in Plummer, graduating with the class of 1949.
Following high school, Gladys moved to Thief River Falls where she worked for Tunberg Motor Company. Gladys also worked at the local movie theater where she met the love of her life, Arnold Narverud. The couple married on October 13, 1951 at the Trinity Lutheran Church parsonage in Thief River Falls by Pastor G.S. Thompson. They made their home in Thief River Falls where three of their children were born: Allen, Cheryl, and Holly. In 1955 the family moved to Mankato, where Gladys worked for an orthopedic surgeon’s office and their family was blessed with their fourth child, Jay. In the spring of 1963, the family returned to live in Thief River Falls where they have continued to reside.
Gladys worked in bookkeeping/sales at multiple locations in Thief River Falls, including the natural gas office, JC Penney, Bjorkman’s, director of Skylite Housing, Norwest Bank, Pennington County Treasurer’s office, and Farm Management Program of AVTI.
She was an active member of the United Methodist Church where she served in various church offices. Gladys was also active in Eastern Star, Girl Scouts, Campfire Girls, Mrs. Jaycees, Job’s Daughters, Thief River Golf Club, President for the American Legion Auxiliary, Elk’s Club and was very active with planning the Thief River Falls 75th Jubilee. Gladys volunteered for Art Heinze in OT at the hospital and in the hospital auxiliary gift shop.
Gladys enjoyed golfing, baking, making lefse/ham loaf and various Norwegian delecacies, playing Bridge, social activities with family and friends, dancing, sewing, knitting, and entertaining. She was very welcoming and always had an open door for her family and friends. She and Arnie enjoyed traveling extensively throughout the United States, Norway and also through the Panama Canal. They also spent their winters in Tucson for over 20 years.
Survivors include her loving husband of 72 years, Arnold of Thief River Falls; children, Allen (Shelley Schoenherr) Narverud of Ira, MI, Cheryl (Larry) Lee of Thief River Falls, Holly (Mark) Haugen of Thief River Falls and Jay (Jane) Narverud of Burnsville; grandchildren, Shannon Jackson (George Brown), Sabrina (Steve Briolat) Vincent, Derek (Stacy) Lee, Jared (Megan) Lee, Trevor (Sarah) Lee, Michelle (Aaron) Janisch, Kim (Aaron) Tompkins, Paul (Becca) Narverud, Mandy (Jeff) Groen, Shari Narverud; grandson-in-law, Jeff Brewer; 25 great-grandchildren; sister, Lucille Kvasager; sister-in-law, Carol Narverud; and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Judy (Joe) Johansen and Bernice (Jerome) Larson; sister-in-law, Camille (Robert) DuChamp; brothers-in-law, Donovan Narverud and Goodwin Kvasager; granddaughter, Samantha Brewer; and great-grandson, Caleb Vincent.
The service to celebrate the life of Gladys Narverud will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, December 22, 2023 at United Methodist Church in Thief River Falls, with Reverend Betty Johnson officiating.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 21, 2023 from 5–7 p.m. with a 7 p.m. prayer service at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls.
Burial will be held at Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls.
Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com.
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