Gladys Katherine White

Gladys K. White, age 90, of Lakeville, Minnesota, formerly of Austin, Minnesota passed away on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at M Health Fairview Ridges Hospital, Burnsville. Gladys Katherine Merten was born on March 23, 1934, to her parents, Edward and Olivia (Mullenbach) Merten. She was raised with her seven siblings and graduated from Rose Creek High School in 1952. On September 1, 1962, Gladys married Larry White at the Catholic Church in Austin, Minnesota; their union was blessed with two children. In 1953, she began working in administration at Hormel Foods until her daughter was born and she stayed home with them for two years. In 1971, she began work in the Austin Public Schools where she was employed for almost 20 years. In 1982, the family sadly lost Larry White, Gladys stepped up in more ways than one to care for her family. In 1987, she went back to work at Hormel to help put her children through college, retiring in 1999. Gladys enjoyed bowling with the Hormel Girls Bowling Team, volunteering at the Hormel Historic Home, and being a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church. She loved spending time with her family and playing in her monthly Bridge group. She enjoyed spending many summer weekends at the family cabin on Lake Tetonka in Waterville, Minnesota, the visits usually included “toddies” with neighbors, bonfires, fishing and snowmobiling. Gladys will be dearly missed by all that knew and loved her. 

Gladys is survived by her children, Steven (Julie)White of West Lafayette, Indiana and Vicki (Scott) Sell of Lakeville, Minnesota; grandchildren, Taylor (Joe) Grupa, Katherine “Katie” White, Jack White, Brandon Sell, Brittany (Ryan Wesely) Sell and Braedyn Sell; two great-grandchildren; and siblings, Barbara Nalan, Ronald Merten and Harry Merten. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Olivia Merten, husband Larry White in 1982; siblings Beatrice Healy, Clarence Merten, Kenneth Merten and Donald Merten.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at Worlein-Hoff Funeral Home in Austin. A visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Saturday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery in Austin. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes are assisting the family with arrangements.