Gladys Rutherford

Gladys I. Rutherford, 83, of Fargo, fought the good fight and finished the race Saturday afternoon, surrounded by her husband and all of her children. Gladys, daughter of Peter and May Gilleshammer, was born at home October 8, 1923, near Drayton, ND. She was raised on the family farm with three brothers and three sisters. She attended a one room rural school and graduated from Grafton, ND High School in 1941. Gladys worked in St. Paul before enlisting in the U.S. Coast Guard Spars, serving as a recruiting specialist during World War II. Gladys married James M. Rutherford on November 9, 1946 in Crookston, MN. They farmed for 24 years near Hillsboro, ND, where they raised their family. She is survived by her husband of 60 years and their five children: Gary (JoAnn) of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota; Diane (Jim Weaver) of Billings, Montana; Pamela (Jim Wiedmann) of Glendale, Arizona; Peggy Briggs of Woodbury, Minnesota; and Charles (Susan) of Blaine, Minnesota; brothers Orvil, Allen and Glenn, and sister Thelma Anderson. Gladys served on the Christian Board of Education and taught Sunday School for many years. She had a deep faith in Jesus. She leaves an amazing legacy in which her husband, five children and spouses, 19 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and extended family always experienced her unconditional love and acceptance. She was the ultimate role model of a home-maker and life-teacher. Her family will greatly miss her until they are reunited with her in glory. She is preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Joyce Pede and Betty Jean Bjerke. Memorials will be distributed by the family. Funeral Service: Wednesday, October 3, 2007 at 11:00 at Liberty Lutheran Brethren Church, 1702 32nd Avenue South, Fargo. Visitation: Tuesday, October 2, 2007 from 4:00-8:00 with a Prayer Service at 7:00 at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home 215 South 7th Street, Fargo. Interment: Riverside Cemetery, Fargo.