Gladys Sonksen

Gladys Sophie, daughter of Henry and Emelia (Hagge) Ohrt, was born October 21, 1902, near Arcadia in Carroll County, Iowa. At age seven Gladys moved with her family to a farm near Botna. She attended school in Botna. In 1927 Gladys’ parents retired to Manning and she began working at Rober-Wehrmann Department Store.

On June 14, 1930, Gladys was united in marriage with Arnold Bernhard Sonksen at Zion Lutheran Church in Manning by Pastor Johann M. Ansorge. Gladys and Arnold farmed her parents’ farm until retiring in 1969 when they moved to Harlan. In 1994 they returned to Manning and became residents of the Manning Plaza. In 2000 Gladys and Arnold celebrated 70 years of marriage together. Arnold died December 13, 2000.

Gladys was a member of Zion Lutheran Church. Throughout the years she enjoyed knitting, reading, playing cards, being on the farm and attending a women’s club near Botna.

Gladys had been in poor health the past year, and on Saturday, December 16, 2000, she died at the Manning Plaza Nursing Home in Manning. She was 98 years, 1 month and 25 days of age.

Gladys was preceded in death by her parents and husband.

She is survived by her brother-in-law Joe Sonksen and his wife Edna of Manning, and cousins and friends.