Gladys Emma Frette

Gladys went to her eternal peace on September 23, 2022 surrounded by her family.

Gladys was born to Lillian and Fred Johs in Jamaica, Queens, New York October 6, 1927.  She was one of five children and was a city and beach girl until she met her true love, Ernest Frette on a blind date in New York City.  He was a sailor in the United States Navy on a brief visit back to the States during World War II.  We loved the story she told of Grandpa sleeping on a park bench across from her house the night that they met.  They were married October 26, 1946 and she immediately moved to Elmore, Minnesota.  Being a city girl her entire life, she read books about farm animals and farm life before she made Minnesota her home.   She proudly raised her children Joanne, Linda and Mike on their farm in Pilot Grove Township.

Gladys loved ceramics, quilting, reading, talking to her family “back home” and most of all, taking care of her family.  Many weekends were spent at the farm gathered with family and Gladys loved making finger jello and iced tea for her grandchildren.   She loved being around people and telling stories about growing up in New York, moving to Minnesota and most of all, her family.  She volunteered her time and talents to many boards and her church.

She made many trips out East and loved to walk in the warm sand and was the first to walk straight into the ocean, scoop up a handful of salt water and drink it.  At that moment, she knew that she was home.  She was lovingly known as Aunt Bebe to many nieces and nephews.  Gladys loved and befriended many and there was always candy and a cup of coffee for a visit.

She is survived by her children, Joanne and Bob Johnston, Linda and Bob Hauge, Mike and Rita Frette.  She was adored by her six grandchildren, Robb Johnston & Kent Johnston (deceased), Molly Hauge & Kyle (Jenny) Hauge and Bridget (Clint) Forstrom & Justin (Stacey) Frette.  She especially loved her great grandchildren Allison, McKenzie, Anna, Sharla, Hailey, Olivia, Brooke, Collin, Ava, Sidney, Max, Makenna, Brooklyn, Kelly and Baby Frette joining us in January.  One of her sweetest joys was her great-great granddaughter, Norah.  She is survived by one sister, Evie Hoffman and sister-in-law, Janet Krause along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.  Her love was overflowing for the people that she loved and will be greatly missed.

She is proceeded in death by her beloved husband of over 60 years, her parents, her sisters Lillie (Russ) Lower and Ellie (Rich) Murgatroyd, her brother Fred (Dottie) Johs, brother-in-law Ed Hoffman along with her deeply loved grandson, Kent. 

Services will be held at Shiloh Lutheran Church in Elmore, Minnesota at 11am on Tuesday, October 4, 2022. Visitation will be held from 9:30am to 11am, prior to the service. Burial will take place at Riverview Cemetery in Elmore.

Memorials are preferred Shiloh Lutheran Church Organ Fund.