Gladys Irene Nau

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(May 6, 1918 - July 19, 2013)

Gladys Irene Nau died peacefully July 19, 2013, at Powell Valley Care Center in Powell, where she had been a resident for two and one-half years. She was 95.

Gladys was born May 6, 1918, in Ulen, Minn., to Amalia (Huben) and Jacob Rupp, the 11th of 12 children. The family moved to St. Cloud, Minn., where she attended school. She did sewing for the WPA during World War II and made many lasting friendships with other young working women. On Nov. 12, 1938, Gladys married Bernard “Bernie” Nau in St. Cloud. To this union a son, Jerry, and daughter, Sandra, were born. Gladys was a homemaker and in later years helped Bernie in his construction and remodeling business. They built their home in St. Cloud as well as a fourplex on their neighboring lot. Allthough she had to quit school after the eighth grade, Gladys always prided herself on her “computer mind” and managed all the bookwork for the apartment and remodeling business. Gladys remained in her home until after Bernard’s death in 1979. She then moved only one-half block away and lived there by herself until 2011 when she moved to Wyoming to live near her daughter.

Gladys was preceded in death by her parents; husband Bernard; brothers Alvin, Helmer, Ernie, Roy, Norman, and sisters Alma, Hilda, Edna, Amy and Ethel.

She is survived by her son Jerry (Bernice) Nau, of Rochester, Minn., daughter Sandra Thiel of Powell, Wyo., three grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, and her sister, Loretta Olson of Sauk Rapids, Minn.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 23, at Benson Funeral Home, 1111 25th Ave. S., St. Cloud. Burial will be in the Benton County Cemetery.

Thompson Funeral Home of Powell and Benson Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.

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