Gladys Beatrice Schimnowski, 99, of Rapid City, SD formerly of Redfield passed away peacefully with her family at her side on Sept 6, 2008 at the Rapid City Regional Hospice House.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 13, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Redfield. Pastor Brian Wasmoen will officiate.

Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery in Redfield, SD. Visitation will be Friday from 1-8:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield and one hour prior to the service at the church.

A memorial is being established to Our Savior's Lutheran Church and also to the Rapid City Regional Hospice house. (www.thelenfuneralhome.com)


Gladys B Schimnowski was born April 17, 1909 in Redfield to John Anton and Amanda Louise (Johanson) Johnson. She was the fourth child and the oldest daughter of six children. She graduated from Redfield College in 1930. She married Frank E. Schimnowski on May 12, 1951. To this marriage a daughter was born and was named Joann after her father John Anton. The family made their home on a farm near Bryant SD for several years and then returned to Redfield where Gladys lived until she was almost 95 years old. After her husband passed away, Gladys focused her time and energies working with special needs children as a Foster Grandparent at the Redfield State hospital and school. She loved this job and gave her best to this job. In her later years she moved to Rapid City to be near her family. She loved watching the Minnesota Twins, and playing many games of pinochle with her family.


She was a member of our Savior's Lutheran Church in Redfield.


Gladys is survived by her daughter Joann (Kevin) Stock of Rapid City, Grandaughters: Kristi (David) Halverson of Rapid City, Kellie Mowrer of Black Hawk, and Erin (Benjamin) Chandler of Rapid City. She is also survived by sister Edith Kresse of Wheaton, Illinois. Thankful for being able to spend precious years of their childhood with her are her great grandchildren: Hannah and Hailey Halverson, Brandon Mowrer, and Cheradyn and Gage Chandler. She is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins all who have wonderful memories of a wonderful life with Gladys.


She was preceded in death by her husband Frank, brothers Clarence, Carl, Richard, and sister Amy. She was also preceded in death by her infant great-grandson Caleb and her grandson-in-law Craig.

She blessed all she touched in her nearly 100 years of living with humor, understanding, and love. We love you and miss you mom, grandma, and great grandma.