Gladys Jeanette Bergland

Funeral Service for Gladys J. Bergland will be held on Saturday, August 31, 2019 at 2:00 PM at First Lutheran Church, Albert Lea. Reverend John Holt will officiate. Interment will be at Hillcrest Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 – 7 PM, Friday, August 30, 2019 at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to service at the church on Saturday. Online condolences welcome at bayviewfuneral.com.

Gladys Jeanette (Lyngaas) Bergland was born April 7, 1922 on her family’s farm near Twin Lakes, MN. She was baptized and confirmed at Lunder Lutheran Church and attended country school with her sisters and brother earning a certificate of perfect attendance. On June 18, 1946 she was united in marriage to Truman Bergland in Emmons, MN. The couple lived in Freeborn County for their whole lives.

Gladys was a homemaker, strong in her faith, loving and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.  Everyone loved her cookies and her chocolate cake with brown sugar frosting.  Her children loved coming home from school to homemade bread, buns, and cinnamon rolls.  All birthdays were celebrated with homemade angel food cake and 7-minute pink or blue frosting.  She loved all children.  She took care of her own 7 children and welcomed visits from family and friends which often turned into extended stays.  The only time she had the house to herself was when Truman would hitch up Dick and Flicka to the buggy and the kids would all jump in and head to Albert Lea to meet up with Uncle Arden.  Gladys was always involved in her grandchildren’s and great grandchildren’s lives.  Always remembering everyone’s birthdays and sending cards.  She loved to travel and enjoyed geography and maps.  She visited Alaska, Florida, Missouri, Wisconsin, Arkansas, North and South Dakota, and Tennessee.  In 1966 Gladys won a million Gold Bond Stamps from Boyd and Jacks Super Value grocery store.  She enjoyed reading her daily devotions, searching for 4 leaf clovers, crocheting, especially baby blankets for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and looking at pictures on Facebook.

Gladys passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Wednesday, August 14, 2019 at Thorne Crest Memory Care. She was 97 years old.

                Gladys is survived by two sons, Gary Bergland and Todd (Cindy) Bergland, five daughters, Gloria (Bob) Sharp, Joann Lien (Dale Riesberg), Sheryl (Richard) Sydnes, Debra (Brian) Blowers and Tammy (Jerry) Brua. She has 20 grandchildren.  Tiffany Bergland, Thor (Shelly) Bergland, Jed (Ayako) Bergland, Chad (Jill) Citurs, Chris (Gina) Citurs, Cory (Beth) Citurs, Teresa Johnson, Shawna (Kevin) Steen, Jerralee (Will) Storbakken, Tara (Corey) Camp, Tanya (Jerry) Westrum, Trisha (Zach) Hansen, Rachelle (Chris) Gilbertson, Kari (Max) Razdow, Hillary Blowers (John Tenofsky), Misty (Rob) Ohman, Travis Bergland (MacKinzie Traxler), Tasha (Kyle) Hale, Trey Brua (Natelia Genco), Tori Brua (Conor Garrity).  Gladys has 37 great grandchildren and 1 due in February.   Kemma, Nickolas, Eric, Breeze, Grace, Odin, London, Ryu, Kalli, Rylan, Braeya, Bentley, Beckham, Sydnee, Jack, Allison (Ryan), Tyler, Breanne, Lily, Brooke, Emily, Nickolas ( Cassy), Cayden, Kyah, Talin, Henry, Lewis, Aryah, Jaxon, Mason, Carlee, Rowan, Theo, Kylie, Tori, Connor, Sky; brother-in law, Arden Bergland; sister-in-law, Joann Bergland Olsen and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Truman; parents, Ingvald and Emma (Jacobson) Lyngaas; brother, Oliver Lyngaas; six sisters, Jorgina (Melvin) Overland, Olga (Kenneth) Joachim, Helen (Oliver) Freitage, Ida (Thomas) Henderson, Clara (Roy) Mallon and Martha (John) Rasmussen; Two son-in-laws Eugene Citurs and Brian Lien; daughter-in-law, Connie Bergland; mother and father-in-law, Nels and Agnes (Gulbertson) Bergland; brother and sister-in-laws, Ole (Irene) Bergland, Helmer (Margaret) Bergland, Marvin (Pat) Bergland, John Bergland, Wallace Bergland, Nettie (Sam) Thorson, Wilma (Maurice) Flattum, Verna Tysver, Norma Hickman, Thelma Hall and Marlys Bergland.

The family extends thanks and appreciation to all her caregivers and a special thank you to St. Croix Hospice.  She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.