Mass of Christian Burial celebrating the life of 85-year-old Gladys A. Scepaniak of Holdingford, Minnesota, were held Monday morning, March 2, 2015 at Church of All Saints-St. Hedwig in Holdingford.
Interment was in the parish cemetery.
Gladys Scepaniak’s son, Father Russell Scepaniak of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Windom, Mnnesota, officiated at the services, with his brother priests concelebrating.
Arrangements were with Miller-Carlin Funeral Home of Holdingford.
Gladys Scepaniak passed away Tuesday evening, February 24, 2015, surrounded by her children at Mother of Mercy Nursing Home in Albany, Minnesota.
Gladys Scepaniak was born on October 8, 1929 in St. Cloud, Minnesota, the daughter of Peter and Agnes (Legatt) Justin. She was raised in St. Stephen, Minnesota, alongside 10 siblings.
After high school, she worked as a telephone operator in California, where she purchased an Indian motorcycle. Gladys returned to Minnesota and continued working as an operator in St. Cloud and Minaco-Lens.
On November 24, 1954, she married George Scepaniak in St. Stephen and together they raised six children.
Gladys was very involved in her children’s lives, was a fan of their Husker sports life and a Cub Scout den mother.
Gladys also worked as a Nurses Aide at Mother of Mercy. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and sister.
She loved trips to the casino with her sisters and waited eagerly for their phone calls. Gladys loved the outdoors, bird-watching, feeding squirrels, sitting on the deck and soaking up the sun. Treasured memories include the walks she took along Wobegon Trail with Larry, her devoted son, who was by her side for years as her caregiver.
She was passionate in her participation in her parish, where she spent over 20 years teaching religion and 40+ years singing in the choir. Gladys was an active member of St. Hedwig’s, Rosary Sodality, Mission Group and Altar Society.
Survivors include her children, Deb (Glenn) Diedrich of Avon, Minnesota, Sam Scepaniak of Holdingford, Mary (Kevin) Kohorst of Albany, Lawrence Scepaniak of Holdingford, Father Russell Scepaniak of Windom and Ellen (Jerry) Opatz of St. Michael, Minnesota; a sister, Audrey Justin; a brother, Jerry Justin; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and many other family and friends.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Peter and Agnes Justin; her loving husband, George in 1986 and siblings, Roska Peternell, Mathias Justin, Richard Justin, Hilda Hackley, Marie Fiedler, Florence Fiedler, Vernie Sharret and Herbie Justin.
