Gladys H. Schwen

Gladys Schwen, age 99 of Blue Earth, died Dec 27, 2011 at Blue Earth United Hospital.Funeral services will be held on Dec 30, 2011 at St. Luke''s Lutheran Care Center at 2:00 PM, with the Rev.Lois Able officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at St. Luke''s. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetary, Blue Earth. Patton Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Blue Earth is assisting the family with the arrangements. Web tributes may be left at www.pattonfh.comGladys Schwen was born on October 11, 1912 in Dodge Center, daughter of Gustav and Sophia (Glick) Schwen. She attended school in Blue Earth and then lived and worked briefly in California. Gladys returned to Blue Earth to serve as a care taker for her mother for over 40 years. She also assumed that role in assisting her sister, Viola Mittelstadt, during Viola''s later years.Gladys moved to New Life Manor in 1995 and St. Luke''s Lutheran Care Center in 2011. She was a charter member of Salem United Methodist Church/Hope United Methodist Church.Gladys was preceded in death by her parents, eight brothers and two sisters who were the originators of the Schwen Ice Cream Factory. Survivors include a number of nieces, nephews and friends including care takers Kathleen Kreklau and husband, Robert, of Crozet, Virginia and Jim Mittelstadt and wife, Susie, of Jacksonville, Florida. The family wants to personally thank Mrs. Audrey Brod for her friendship, love and care extended to Gladys over the years. Gladys''s family is grateful to have had many wonderful years with her.Memorials preferred to St. Luke''s Lutheran Care Center.