Gladys S. Blake, 86, of Stacyville, Iowa, died Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, surrounded by her family, at the Stacyville Community Nursing Home in Stacyville.

Gladys was born July 19, 1926, in Johnsburg, Minn., the daughter of Albert and Margaret (Mullenbach) Smith. She graduated from Visitation Catholic High School in Stacyville. On Oct. 21, 1947, she married Othmar Blake at Johnsburg, Minn. Gladys worked as a CNA at the Stacyville Community Nursing Home for more than 30 years. She was a member of Visitation Catholic Church, the Thread Clippers and various card clubs. Gladys enjoyed quilting, cards, watching the Minnesota Twins, gardening, cooking, baking and traveling. She especially enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Gladys is survived by her daughter-in-law, Joan Blake of St. Ansgar; children, John (Mary) Blake of Cottonwood, Minn., Jean (Dennis) Hemann of Osage, Janet (Jeff) Chapman of Marshall, Minn., Dan (Sue) Blake of Stacyville, David (Kathy) Blake of Osage, Tim (Kathie) Blake of Osage; 24 grandchildren, Lynn Scott, Mike Muller, Larry Muller, Jason Blake, Chad Blake, Aaron Sheehan, Amanda Blake, Anna Blake, Adam Blake, Ben Blake, Nick Hemann, Kelly Adams, Mary Bodensteiner, Melissa Haynes, Jessica Fay, Joseph Chapman, Courtney Blake, Kayla Blake, Madi Blake, Stephanie Blake, Steve Blake, Ryan Blake, Spencer Blake and Shelby Blake; 26 great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Ruth Shotliff of Jordan, Minn., Ralph (Beverly) Smith of McIntire, Louise (Virgil) Juenger of Stacyville, Jerry (Joan) Smith of Adams, Minn.; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Vera (Jim) Adams of Stacyville; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Othmar in 1999; daughter, Ruth Ann; sons, Tom and Dean; brother, Cyril Smith; brother-in-law, Bob Shotliff; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Gene and Mildred Blake; nephews, Gary and Mark Smith; and niece, Susan Shotliff.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, at Visitation Catholic Church in Stacyville with Msgr. John Hemann officiating. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery at Meyer, Iowa. Friends may greet the family from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Visitation Catholic Church in Stacyville with a rosary at 4:30 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour before services at the church on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made in memory of Gladys to the Stacyville Community Nursing Home Roofing Fund. Information available and condolences accepted at www.champion-bucheitfuneralhome.com.