Gladys P. Holst, 92, of Austin, Minnesota, and formerly of Dexter, Minnesota, died Sunday, Feb. 12, 2017, at Mayo Clinic Hospital – Saint Marys Campus in Rochester, Minnesota.

Gladys Pearl Holst was born Nov. 27, 1924, to James and Minnie (Belshan) Viktora near New London, Minnesota. She attended school in the Lyle, Minnesota; New London, Minnesota; and Myrtle, Minnesota, areas. She later worked at what is now Hormel Food Corp. in Austin for a short time. On Feb. 20, 1945, she was united in marriage to Raymond Holst at Queen of Angels Catholic parish in Austin, Minnesota. The couple moved by train to Oakland, California, where Raymond would recover from his war injuries. Raymond would make leather purses and wallets from his hospital bed and Gladys would sell them. After a year they moved back to Minnesota and began living on their farm near Dexter. The farm was purchased before World War II; this would be their home where they began farming and raising their family together. Gladys was a good farm wife; she helped with the chicken chores and sold eggs to the neighbors for many years.

Gladys also sold Avon products and was one of the original employees at Meadow Manor Nursing Home, where she worked for five years. Gladys was also a waitress at Nickerson Farms for 10 years, receiving a prized lamp for selling the most orange juice. She then went to work as a janitor for the Grand Meadow School. After 15 years and at the age of 75 she retired due to a hip problem. Gladys continued to live on the farm until 2010 when she moved to The Cedars in Austin where she met a new group of friends. She enjoyed working, playing cards, TV soaps, calling bingo, dancing exercise sessions, and socializing with family and friends. Happy Hour was her favorite. She always had a brandy close by to share with anyone who was willing. Gladys and Ray also enjoyed traveling around the country with Donnie and Bonnie in later years. She will be missed especially for her Christmas Eve celebrations at her home. Blessed be her memory.

She is survived by her children, Vicky (Dennis) Stenberg of Stewartville, Minnesota, Glenn (Colette) Holst of Lanesboro, Minnesota, Leon (Shirley) Holst of Dexter, Minnesota, and Evan (LuAnn) Holst of Dexter, Minnesota; 16 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; a sister, Louise Hahn of Spring Valley, Minnesota; three brothers, Donald (Bonnie) Victora of Albert Lea, Minnesota, Dale Viktora of Hollandale, Minnesota, and Melvin Viktora of Hillsborro, Kansas. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ray in 1995; a grandson, Jeffery in 1968; a granddaughter, Lisa in 1990; three brothers, Wesley, Kenneth and David; and two sisters, Lillian and Rosella.

Funeral services for Gladys P. Holst will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, at Grand Meadow Lutheran Church with Pastor Beth Krolak officiating. Burial will be in the Grand Meadow Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday Feb. 16, 2017, at the Hindt Funeral Home in Grand Meadow and will continue for one hour at the church.