Gladys "Sy" Wadena, age 84, of Naytahwaush, MN, died Friday May 20, 2011 at Mahnomen Health Center Nursing Home, Mahnomen, MN.

Gladys Philomene Turner was born on July 8, 1926 to Robert and Charlotte (Morrison) Turner in Naytahwaush. She grew up in the Naytahwaush area and attended Catholic School in White Earth, MN.
She was united in marriage to Lawrence Wadena in 1951. They had two children, Gerald and Linda and later divorced in 1974.
She attended college at Bemidji State University and later worked in White Earth for Indian Child Welfare. After retiring she worked for the Green Thumb program until her failing health required her to stay home.
Gladys was devoted to her family and grandchildren and later her great-grandchildren. She often babysat Tiana and they would spend many hours taking walks and watching the birds and squirrels at play. She was especially close to her youngest two great-grandchildren, Shyla and Julian. Whenever they came to visit she let them run wild in her house and would delight in watching their antics.
She will be greatly missed by friends and family especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Gladys is survived by a daughter, Linda Londo of Naytahwaush; a sister, Evelyn of Cass Lake, MN; five grandchildren: LeRoy (Robin) Beaulieu of Fargo, ND, Edward Beaulieu of Naytahwaush, Dolly Beaulieu of Naytahwaush, Chris (Linda) Londo of Mahnomen and Nathan Londo of Moorhead; eleven great-grandchildren: Heather, Josh, Ed Jr., Mikey, Tiana, Julian, Trisha, Chris Jr., Shyla, Lakeisha and Tyrone.
She is preceded in death by her son, Gerald; parents; brothers; sisters; grandson, Robert and great-granddaughter, Jeri Lyn.

A memorial service was held at 7:00 pm on Thursday May 26, 2011 at the Anderson-Mattson Funeral Home, Mahnomen, MN. A time of fellowship was held one hour prior to the service on Thursday evening.
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