Gladys Mae Solberg, age 90, passed away October 10, 2014 at Faith Lutheran Home in Wolf Point.
She was born on June 28, 1924 in Spokane, Washington and moved to Seattle the same year and lived there for 13 years. She moved to Billings, Helena, and Missoula. She moved 9 times while she was in the 8 th grade. She spent four years in Missoula and graduated from Los Gatos Union High School on June 17, 1943.
Gladys moved to Spokane to be with her sister who was separated from her husband. She was just a typing test away from graduating from a business college when her mom divorced her dad and they both moved out, leaving her sister, her two little girls, and mom. She quit school and got a job at the air base and worked there for 2 ½ years.
When the war was over, she went to work in town and then on the 14 th of February 1946; she met Eugene Solberg. He had just returned from 3 ½ years in a Japanese prison camp. They married 3 months later, May 18, 1946 and moved to Wolf Point. He built the house on the corner of 4 th Avenue North and Eureka Street where they lived for 23 years.
In 1969, they divorced. Mom moved to Platteville, Wisconsin in 1972 but moved back to Wolf Point thereafter.
She worked at Ben Franklin’s as a manager in the sewing and craft department until she retired and also helped at the store until they closed. For a time she helped Arnie and Mary Jo Solberg’s Christian book store “Son Mountain Christian Book Store” in Wolf Point. She had very many special friends and church family. She was a Cub Scout den mother. She was known as “Church Grandma” by many children. She will be missed dearly here on earth. She was known to move Heaven and Earth, both spiritually and physically to offer support to all of her kids all of the time. Gladys was a “Prayer Warrior.”
She was involved in sewing, all crafts, artistry, and always enjoyed being with her family and friends. She was always willing to teach arts and crafts to others.
Gladys is survived by a daughter Phillis (Bernie) Hydra of Welland, Ontario; she is survived by her sons John (Sharon) Solberg of Lutz, Florida, Gary Solberg of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, Arnie (Mary Jo) Solberg of Williston, North Dakota, Bill (Lynn) Solberg of Laurel, Montana, Rick Solberg of Ruth, Nevada, and Greg (Ceceilia) Solberg of Wolf Point. Gladys is survived by her sister Laura (Will) Sugden of Platteville, WI and niece Beverly (Nick) Johansen of Platteville. She is survived by her niece Linda Boysun of Vida. Gladys is survived by 23 grandchildren, 39 great grandchildren, 5 great great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Gladys was preceded in death by her parents Ralph Richardson and Lucy Mae McCollum. She was preceded in death by her daughter Laurie Solberg Cairy and ex-husband Eugene Solberg. She was preceded in death by 1 nephew Arnold Boysun, 1 great grandson Trenton Cooper and 1 great nephew Frank Johansen.
Gladys’ family would like to send a special thanks to the staff at Faith Lutheran Home for your T.L.C. Also we would like to thank all the “Prayer Warriors” who always remembered our Mother and our family. God Bless You!