Gladys Fay Rongen, age 68, of Crookston, MN, died peacefully in her sleep early Wednesday morning, February 23, 2011, at her home in Crookston after a courageous battle with cancer. Gladie was born to Edwin and Edith (Gast) Balstad, on January 6, 1943, in Fertile, MN. She was baptized and confirmed at the Beltrami United Methodist Church in Beltrami, MN. As a young girl, she worked on the family farm and was a 1961 graduate of the Fertile-Beltrami High School. On September 17, 1960, Gladie was united in marriage to the love of her life, James Rongen, in Beltrami. Together, Gladie and Jim raised three daughters- Debbie, Brenda, and Christy. The couple first lived in Fertile before moving to Crookston. During her working years, Gladie was employed as a secretary at Fertile-L-Flow, Paddy and Paul's, Crookston Welding, and for thirty years in the scale house at American Crystal. Her favorite pastimes included playing softball, bowling, crocheting, and sewing. Gladie loved tending her flower gardens and received many compliments for her beautifully manicured yard. She and Jim were founding members of the Pirate Boosters Club and greatly enjoyed watching their daughters play their sports. In 1985 Gladie and Jim were honored as "Pirate Boosters of the Year". They liked traveling about the country and always looked forward to their annual trips to Las Vegas with friends. Very sadly, after thirty-nine wonderful years of marriage, Jim passed away on February 20, 1999. Gladie's life continued to be active as she took care of her mother, Edith, for eight years. She also began following her grandchildren as they played in sports and other activities, and never grew tired of "boasting" about her family, letting everyone know how proud she was of them. In the last few years Gladie would take off on adventures by herself and drive around the county visiting family and friends. She was always making people laugh, and finding the good in every situation. Gladie had a positive attitude about life that stayed with her right up to her last day. "Though we will all miss her dearly we have so many fond memories of her and can rejoice with her that she is again reunited with the love of her life, Jim."

Gladie is survived by her three daughters Debbie (Tim) Wold of Beltrami, MN, Brenda (Tom) Kraft of Crookston, MN, and Christy (Darin) Carlstrom of East Grand Forks, MN; eight grand-children, Matt, Mary and Nicole Kraft, Rachel and Monica Wold, and Aubrie, Haylie and Natalie Carlstrom; and a great-grandson, Landon Kraft. She also leaves two sisters, Barbara (Rogers) Anderson of Bloomington, MN, and Maxine (Kermit) Wobschall of Minneapolis, MN; two nieces, Kim Wobschall and Alberta Anderson; a nephew, Kevin Wobschall; and many other relatives and friends. Besides her beloved husband, Jim, Gladie was preceded in death by her parents, Edwin and Edith.

A memorial service celebrating the life of Gladys Fay Rongen will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, February 28, 2011, in the Trinity Lutheran Church in Crookston with The Rev. Jo Gast, officiating. Visitation with the family will be at the Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home on Sunday from 5-7:00 pm, with a 7:00 pm prayer service, and also at the church for one prior to the funeral. Interment will be in the Little Norway Cemetery, rural Fertile, in the spring.