Gladys Dehn

Gladys Aileen (Oslie) Dehn, a long-time North Dakota resident who lived the last two years in Ellinger, Texas, passed away peacefully Sunday the 8th of November surrounded by her family. Gladys was 89 years old.

Born March 28th, 1926 in Christine, ND, Gladys attended Moore School before graduating from Enderlin High School. In 1950 she married Dalton "Ippy" Dehn in Enderlin and raised her family there. For 13 years she cared for the residents of the Hillcrest Manor Nursing Home (now Maryhill Manor).

Gladys loved sewing and quilting, and was known for the clothing and costumes she made for her children, friends and relatives. She was an active member of and Sunday School teacher for Enderlin's First Lutheran Church, a Girl Scout leader and a life time member of the Ladies Auxiliary VFW. And she could play cards with the best of them. But she was best known for her caring personality and sense of humor. As her daughter Bonita remembers Gladys, "her heart was filled with so much love that it escaped through her smile."

Gladys is survived by her two sons, Mike Dehn (Kathy) of Enderlin, ND and Bryan Dehn (Peggy) of Leonard, ND; three daughters, Lori Dunne (Kevin) of Austin, TX, Joan Herring (Jerry) of Ellinger, TX, and Bonita Dehn (Saknarin Boonkriengchai) of Houston, TX; grandchildren Justin Dehn of Austin, TX, Shalonn Simmons (Brian) of Corpus Christi, TX, and Fallon Boonkriengchai of Houston, TX; great grandchildren include Matthew Dehn (U.S. Army), Paden McDonald, Zander Simmons and Raziah Simmons of Corpus Christi, TX; brother Palmer Oslie of Strongsville, OH; sisters Myrtie Gilbertson of Sauk Center, MN, and Phyllis Atkins of St. Louis, MO. Gladys was predeceased by her parents Anna and Alfred Oslie, husband Dalton Dehn, brother Cliff Oslie, sister Eleanore Shelver, and son Bret Dehn.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to VFW Post 9050, 225 3rd Ave., Enderlin, ND 58027. You may designate the Enderlin Veterans Memorial Fund or the Veterans Service Programs, which support the North Dakota Veterans Home and North Dakota Veterans Hospital.

Although Gladys is the last person who would want a fuss made over her, there will be two celebrations of her life. A funeral service will be held in Enderlin, North Dakota, at 10:30am on Saturday, November 21st, at First Lutheran Church (326 Bluff St., Enderlin). A celebratory reception will be held at Blackbird Farm (1488 FM 2503, Ellinger) on Sunday, December 13th from 1 to 4pm.