A Celebration of Life Service to honor the life and legacy of Gladys Polzin, age 99, of Windom, will be held Saturday, February 15th at 11:00 AM, with a time of visitation and gathering for one hour prior to the service from 10:00-11:00 AM, at the Lutheran Church of Our Savior in Windom. Burial will be at Lakeview Cemetery in Windom.

Gladys Polzin passed away peacefully on January 18, 2025, at Windom Area Health in Windom.

Faith, Family, Friends, and Fun

Gladys Julia Berg Polzin was born at home on the family farm in Willow Lake Township, Redwood County, Minnesota on September 11, 1925. She was the fourth of six children born to Henry and Ella (Koch) Berg. She was baptized at the Willow Lake Township Lutheran Church on October 4, 1925. During the Depression, the family moved to Wanda, Minnesota. Gladys attended Wanda Elementary School. She was Confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church in Wanda on June 25, 1939. She graduated in 1943 from Lamberton High School in nearby Lamberton, Minnesota.

Laurence and Gladys met and dated during the early 1940's. Laurence had a Chevy Coupe. Because of World War II gas rationing, they often double-dated with friends Bob and Betty Schenk. The two couples squeezed into Laurence's three passenger Coupe! Laurence and Gladys were married on April 19, 1944, at Christ Lutheran Church in Wanda.

Laurence and Gladys lived their entire married life on the Polzin family farm near Jeffers, Minnesota. Four children joined the family; Diane, David, and Janis. Infant son James died just a few short weeks after his birth. The family lived and worked on the farm. They also enjoyed traveling to visit relatives and friends in Minnesota and other states. Memorable trips included vacations to the Black Hills and one long drive to the Oregon Coast. Laurence and Gladys enjoyed a 25th Anniversary trip to Hawaii.

After Laurence passed away in 1970, Gladys followed his advice to move to Windom and get a "little" job. She became the Secretary/Office Manager at Lewis & Price Law Firm. Her "fun" part-time job was working at Ann's Clothing, where she loved to shop.

Gladys' grandchildren remember Grandma's "magical" house on 4th Avenue. The house had so many nooks and crannies, perfect for playing Hide & Seek. Her grandchildren have many memories of playing dress-up, house, cards and other games in the Attic Playroom. Of course Grandma Gladys joined in the attic playtime. When Christmas season came, Grandma Gladys took the grandchildren to see Santa on the Courthouse Square. The grandchildren were so impressed that she personally knew Santa! Sometimes Santa came to Grandma's house in person to deliver gifts to the grandchildren.

Gladys' love of travel continued. She took trips to Europe with her sister Irene. Best friend Shirley Flaskegaard joined her on a tour of the Southwestern states. She also joined her children's families on their vacations. Memorable trips included Niagara Falls, Ocean City Maryland, Banff Canada and Soddy Daisy Tennessee. The grandchildren remember gathering together in Richland, Washington for an Old Fashioned Polzin Christmas Celebration.

Gladys was very active at Our Savior's Lutheran Church. She was a youth group counselor when her children were in Walther League. She held various offices in the Ladies Aid, Circle, and Golden Agers groups. She also held various offices at the Senior Center, where she always enjoyed a good game of cards.

Gladys was known for her delicious baked goods, especially cookies. One time she entered her famous sugar cookies in a contest and won 1st Prize! Other hobbies included crafting and cross stitch. Her favorite activities were meeting with the 'Coffee Ladies' for coffee and lots of visiting. But the highlight of her days was playing cards. No doubt she is organizing coffee and cards in heaven!

Gladys was preceded in death by her husband Laurence H. Polzin; infant son James Allen Polzin; infant great-granddaughter Rebekah Teichroew; parents Henry and Ella Berg; siblings and their spouses Henry and Ruth Berg, Irene (Endresen) and Douglas Johnson, Lucille and Richard Davis, Marcella and Stanley Dammann, Gerald Berg; brother-in-law Orlo Endresen; parents-in-law F. H. and Mae Polzin; sisters-in-law and their spouses Vina and William Niemann, Velma and Dale Mann, Mavis and Alvin Brand, Irene and Truman Hartberg, Lorraine and John Paulson, Myrtle and Donald Feil; and best friend Shirley Flaskegaard.

Survivors include her children and their spouses Diane and Charles Breit, David and Dabney Polzin, Janis and Daniel Teichroew; grandchildren and their spouses Karrie and Ignatius Kikeh, Stephanie and Matt Neville, Megan and Mike Goodwin, Carin and Travis McClelland, Kristi and Joe Rice, Jon Polzin and Karen Gleason, Erik and Kara Teichroew, Kim and Mark Pederson, Jay and Melanie Teichroew; 27 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Shirley Berg; dear friend Connie McCarthy; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Well done good and faithful servant. Matthew 25:23