Gladys Rosetta Blanchard

Gladys Blanchard age 88 of Detroit Lakes, MN died October 12, 2021 at her home in Detroit Lakes, MN.

Gladys Rosetta Blanchard was born January 10, 1933, in Sioux Falls, SD to Tom and Bertha (Osse) Opsal. As a young girl the family moved to Kabekona Corners, MN, where she grew up and attended school, graduating as Valedictorian from LaPorte High School in 1951. On August 16, 1952, she was united in marriage to Kenneth Blanchard in LaPorte, MN. They made their home in Minneapolis, MN for several years where she worked for the Eberhart company.

In 1967 they moved to Detroit Lakes, MN where she worked at Detroit Lakes Savings and Loan.  From there, she moved to the American Family Insurance Agency where she worked for 39 years until her retirement.

Gladys was very active at Community Alliance Church, participating in various women’s activities, bible studies, and Awana.  She enjoyed working in the kitchen and greeting visitors to ensure all felt welcome. 

Gladys is survived by her daughter, Sonja (Stephen) Grunlan, of Chanhassen, MN; her sisters Rosemary Dent and Twila Rudd and brother, Tillman (Dana) Opsal, sister-in-law Linda, Blanchard along with several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ken Blanchard, several in-laws and both her parents. 

Services will be on Monday, October 25, 2021; 11:00 a.m. at Community Alliance Church in Detroit Lakes, MN. Interment will be in the Evergreen Cemetery, LaPorte, MN.