Gladys Holler

Services for Gladys Holler, 92, of Groton will be 2:00 p.m., Sunday, January 29th at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Groton. Pastor Elizabeth Johnson will officiate. Burial will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Aberdeen under the direction of Paetznick-Garness Funeral Chapel, Groton.

Gladys passed away January 26, 2012 at Sun Dial Manor in Bristol.

Gladys Mae Nelson was born on January 13, 1920 to Nils and Josephine (Nygaard) Nelson in Pierpont. She lived with her family in the Crosby ND area during her early years. When she was 6, her mother died. She lived with various relatives for several years. Later Gladys moved in with Hank and Mildred Lee near Pierpont, and enrolled in 9th grade. She graduated four years later as class Valedictorian.

In 1941, she was united in marriage with Alfred Tastad. On Thanksgiving Day in '49, Alfred was killed in a plane crash, leaving her with three young daughters and 7 months pregnant with their son. The following year she married Howard Holler and they moved to the farm near Groton. To that union two daughters were born.

Gladys will always be remembered for her beautiful alto voice, extraordinary seamstress skills, mouth-watering lefse, caramel rolls, donuts, and buns. Her mad card playing skills have been passed down to her many descendants.

She was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church where she was active in the kitchen band and quilting. She enjoyed visiting with family and friends, playing pinochle, square dancing and sewing. Gladys lived a hard life graciously.

Survivors include one sister, Alice Anseth of Crosby, ND, one son, Alfred (Topper) Tastad and his wife Jean of Groton; five daughters, JoAnn and her husband Harry Breitbach of Colorado/Florida, Kathy and her husband Jack Erickson of Britton, Susan and her husband Roy Teas of Ames, Iowa, Rosalie and her husband Jim Gerdes of Groton, and Julie and her husband Bruce Shilhanek of Groton; 23 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by both husbands, her brothers Joel, Lloyd and Walter, sisters Olga Nygaard and Nina Hagen, infant twin siblings, and her great grandson Jeff Alderson.

Casketbearers will be Mike Shilhanek, Bill Shilhanek, John Sippel, Doug Sippel, Monte Sippel and Bob Jandel.

Honorary Casketbearers will be all of her grandchildren.

Memorials can be directed to Faith Forever c/o Emmanuel Lutheran Church, PO Box 137 Groton, SD 57445.

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