Gladys Irene Thuen

On December 18, 2013, Gladys Irene Strand Thuen of Portland, ND went to her heavenly home to join her beloved husband, Sam. Gladys was the 6th of 8 children born to Theodore and Clara (Bothun) Strand. She was born in Viking Township, rural Portland, on September 18, 1924. Gladys attended Viking School for her grade school years and then attended Portland High School graduating in 1942. She married Selmer (Sam) Thuen on July 16, 1944 in the Aurdal Parsonage. They lived in various homes in Mayville and Portland before moving to the family farm SW of Portland in 1951. Sam passed away on July 30, 1973. On the farm, Gladys milked cows, raised laying hens and had a huge garden all while raising her 4 children. In January of 1965, Gladys began working at Mayville Union Hospital in the business office. She took classes from Mayville State College and began working in the accounting office at Union Hospital. She spent 44 years dedicated to her work, never calling in sick or taking a vacation. She retired at the age of 85 in 2009. Gladys loved music and dancing. She never missed listening to Polka Party on Sundays. She was an excellent cook and baker and was known for her scalloped potatoes and potato salad. She was very proud that 40 acres of her land was designated as the Thuen Prairie Natural Area Registry site, the first natural area registered in North Dakota in 1983. Gladys was a member of Aurdal Lutheran Church, Portland Legion Auxiliary, VFW, and the Sons of Norway. She is survived by 2 sons: Gary (Shirley) of West Fargo, ND; Donald of Deltona FL. 2 daughters: Karen (Martin) O’Neil of Fordville, ND; Barbara of Portland, ND. 5 grandchildren: Scott Thuen of Fargo, ND; Matthew O’Neil of Fordville, ND; Katie (Kelley) Dukart of Fargo, ND; Amy O’Neil of Carter Lake, IA; Cassie Thuen of Portland, ND. 5 great grandchildren: Haley, Sam and Ryer Thuen of Fargo, ND; Adam and Noah Dukart of Fargo, ND; her brother Maynard (Edith) Strand of Portland, ND. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Sam, her sisters, Agnes Braaten, Mavis Carlson, her brothers, Clarence, James, Orville, and Ernest, her brothers in law, Garvin Braaten and Raymond Carlson. Her sisters in law Judy Strand, Henny Strand, Solveig Strand, Arlene Strand, and Mildred Strand. Hard working hands are laid to rest. Visitation: Will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Funeral Service: 11:00 AM Thursday, January 2, 2014 at the Aurdal Lutheran Church in Portland, ND. Burial: Aurdal Cemetery, Portland, ND.