Gladys was born on Oct 2, 1920 in Cherokee Iowa, to Glen Laurel Fritz and Liesetta Lillus (nee Draper) Fritz, the first of 6 children. She graduated from Bigelow High School, Bigelow MN in 1938 and entered Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa with a major in Home Economics. It was there that she met the love of her life, Aaron Antroinen. After 2 years of college, she left so that her younger sister Lois, now graduating, could attend secretarial school in Minneapolis. Gladys was hired as 4H Leader of Kandiyohi County in central Minnesota. By that time, she and Aaron had become engaged. He was serving with a veterinary group in northern Minnesota. They married on a wintery day March 28, 1941 in East Grand Forks, MN. This was the end of the depression, and married women were often not allowed to hold a job that a family man might or could fulfill, so Gladys and Aaron kept their marriage a “secret” until the end of her contract with Kandiyohi County.
As the country entered WWII, Aaron longed to be commissioned following his ROTC training at Iowa State. But by now he was a meat inspector at a processing plant in Davenport IA, and Uncle Sam needed him to continue providing healthy food for the troops. No military service for him. When the war ended, he dedicated himself to large animal veterinary medicine in rural Minnesota, and later joined the US Department of State as a veterinary advisor with the Agency for International Development (USAID).
Gladys was a dedicated wife and mother. She followed Aaron from small town country vet, to veterinary work in Mexico, to State Department wife in Ecuador, Uganda, Viet Nam, Iran, Ivory Coast. She skillfully and graciously entertained diplomats, taught indigenous women homemaking skills, waded jungle paths, and rode a camel in the desert.
Throughout their married life Aaron and Gladys were ardent golfers and dedicated Contract Bridge players. They both achieved Life Master status through the many bridge tournaments they entered around the globe.
Gladys was an active member in her church community wherever they lived. She loved to organize church bazaars, ladies’ teas, and mother-daughter banquets. Her homemade pies were a highly prized purchase at any church fundraiser.
Sewing was another passion. She entered her first wool suit at the Minn State Fair at age 13 and was awarded a blue ribbon. She enjoyed making Halloween costumes for her children and grandchildren, and for herself. Her cat costume fooled even her closest friends, who couldn’t figure out who she was.
Gladys and Aaron were married for 71 years. He preceded her in death by 2 years. Her parents, her sisters Lois and Marjorie, her brothers George and Donald, and her daughter Kathryn, also preceded her in death.
She is survived by her brother Ralph (Carole) Fritz Glenwood MN, sister-in-law Pat Fritz Lincoln NB, brother-in-law Arvid Anteroinen Vienna VA, daughters Mary Jo Rekedal (Steven) and Barbara Page (John) both Austin,TX, sons David (Lu) Chesapeake VA and Jeffrey (Sue) La Plata MD, grandchildren Cathy Antroinen Dilley (Michael) Chesapeak VA, Tom Antroinen NC, Rick Rekedal (Vicki) Pasadena CA, Robin Lisetta Smith (Steven) New Delhi India, Erin Antroinen and Megan Antroinen both of La Plata MD, 12 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Gladys will be laid to rest, along with husband Aaron and baby daughter Kathryn, in her hometown of Ortonville, MN. The memorial service and interment will be held in Minnesota at a future date. An open-house reception will be held in Austin for Gladys' caregivers and local friends.
The family wishes to thank the caregivers of Arden Courts in Austin for their loving and honoring care of Gladys as she succumbed to the ravages of Alzheimer’s Disease, and the staff of Gentiva Hospice for their gentle ministrations.
In lieu of flowers, please direct any memorials to Capital of Texas Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org).
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