Scottsdale, Ariz.- Gladys Esther (Skjervem) Menge, 96, died of natural causes on March 11th, 2014, at Hospice of the Valley - Sherman House, Phoenix, Ariz. Gladys was the sixth of seven children born on October 26, 1917, to Halgrim Skjervem and Mary (Helland) Skjervem at the family farm in Whitman, N.D. Her mother died the next year in the great flu epidemic, and she was raised by her older sisters and a large extended family.

Gladys graduated as class salutatorian (her brother Mylo was valedictorian) from Whitman High School in 1935. While in high school she received awards for vocal music from state music contests.

Gladys married Willis K. Menge at Moorhead, Minn., on June 26, 1940, and she furthered her education through adult evening classes.. They farmed near Lockhart, Minn., until 1951, when they moved to Fargo, N.D. She worked briefly at Herbst Department Store, then worked as a bookkeeper at KFGO radio, until the family purchased the Roxy Theater in Fargo.

Gladys was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Fargo, where she was a Sunday School teacher and superintendent and was also a member of the Ladies Aid. She was a member of Royal Neighbors in Fargo for many years. In 1965, the family sold the theater and moved to Red Wing, Minn., where they operated the Chief Theater. Later they moved to Bloomington, Minn., where Gladys again became a bookkeeper, working for area businesses. They returned to Red Wing where she was employed by the financial office of Josten's Inc. until her retirement. While in Red Wing, she was also employed as a bookkeeping instructor by the local vocational/technical school. Gladys is a cancer survivor, living 32 years cancer-free.

After retirement, Gladys and Willis moved to North Fort Myers, Fla., where they lived for 10 years before relocating to Scottsdale, to be near family. Gladys continued to enjoy playing bridge, bingo, gambling and crossword puzzles throughout her years in Scottsdale, while living at Villa Ocotillo.

She is predeceased by her husband, Willis; her son, Richard W.; parents; brothers Helmer, Ray and Mylo, and sisters Sadie (Minette) McCarty, Alma (Muhonen) Hanson and another sister, Esther, who died as an infant. Gladys is survived by two daughters: Sandra (Peter) Atkins, Vermont; and Kathleen (Walter) Johnson, Scottsdale; nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials in Gladys Menge's name are being accepted by the following-

Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014 or online at www.hov.org/donate

Lakota Community Foundation Scholarship Fund, PO Box 468, Lakota, ND, 58344