Gladys B. Felix

Gladys Bertha Felix, 98, of Aberdeen, SD, died Sunday, March 31, at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital, Aberdeen.

Gladys Bertha Hankel was born February 19, 1926, to August and Bertha (Kemnitz) Hankel on the family farm near Ludden, ND. She was the youngest of eleven children. Gladys was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Oakes, ND. She got her education at the rural school in Ludden.

In 1947, she moved with her parents to Oakes, ND. She worked at the Oakes Bakery and the North American Creamery. In 1949 she moved to Aberdeen, SD, and worked at the Newberry Department Store. In 1951 she began working for Guhin Bros. Dry Cleaning, later Pantorium Dry Cleaners, retiring in 1987. She then worked for the Aberdeen School System and the Senior Nutrition program for two years.

Gladys married Mike Felix September 21, 1953, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Aberdeen. She was an active member, quilting, LWML, AAL Branch Officer, and past member of the Lutheran Bowling League. Gladys and Mike were counselors for the Walter League Youth. She is a life member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary and the Senior Center.

Gladys and Mike worked concessions for the Aberdeen Pheasant ball games and for many other sports and entertainment events. She was known as “Popcorn Lady.” Gladys enjoyed doing volunteer work, traveling with bus tours and has been to all 50 states and going dancing. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.

Grateful for having shared Glady’s life are her children: Roger (Cheryl) Felix and Julaine (Donald) Hurst; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews and their families.

Preceding Gladys in death are her husband, Mike, in 2011, her parents, seven brothers, three sisters and one great-granddaughter.

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