Gladys was born November 5, 1919 in Drake, ND to Gustov and Fredrica (Senechal) Berndt. Gladys grew up and attended school in Anamoose, ND. She was a member of a large family of 11 living children. The family was very musically inclined, so music filled the household on a regular basis and many different instruments could be found inside their tiny home.
After her school days, Gladys worked in many places throughout the United States such as Minot, Louisiana and California. During the war, Gladys worked as a waitress for an off base restaurant in California. She then went on to work at a photo shop where she hand colored photographs. She also enjoyed her work in the Poppy fields of California. After the war, she returned to Fairview where she, along with several of her siblings, resided in the Hotel Albert.
Gladys met and married Maurice (Nig) Martin on September 23, 1945. To this union, two children were born. Gladys and Nig moved several times while Nig worked and Gladys kept the home. In the winter of 1954 they moved to Havre, MT and in 1957 resided in Cut Bank finally returning to Fairview in 1959 where they moved to the family farm. During this time, Gladys took care of her family. There may have been store bought cookies or cakes, but never pies. Gladys was a master at making pies and enjoyed baking many different kinds for her family, who enjoyed eating them. Gladys also loved to dance. She spent many nights out dancing with Nig and their friends and family. On many occasions she could be found dancing in her kitchen. In fact, kitchen dancing has been passed down from Gladys to her daughter and grandchildren. They all have fond memories of times in the kitchen dancing with grandma.
Gladys also enjoyed traveling with her family and friends. They would travel to places like Peace Gardens, taking in the shows at Medora with the grandchildren, visiting family in places like White Hall, Virginia City and Elkhorn or fishing at Duck Lake. She enjoyed very special times traveling with her niece and nephew Myrt and Ronnie Schubert and always had a great time in their company. On many occasions she could be found in the middle of a caravan of friends and family heading off to their next adventure.
You could also find Gladys reading the latest “rag mag” such as the National Enquirer or Globe. If it was in those magazines, Gladys knew it and always enjoyed giving her opinion on whatever they contained.
After Maurice’s death, Gladys remained active by walking and playing cards with the grandkids. Gladys was “grandma” to many in the area no matter if they were related or not. She was surrounded by those in the community that loved and cared for her. They would show it by stopping by and cutting her grass or bringing her rocks that she could add to her extensive collection. Gladys also had the companionship of Wendy and Linzy who lived with her. Although they were there to watch over her in her later years, she lovingly referred to them as her “roommates” as she felt she was quite capable of taking care of herself. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Gladys is survived by: her daughter Dee (Timothy) Dietrich; grandchildren Nicole Dietrich, Casey (Angie) Dietrich, Linzy Dietrich and “adopted” granddaughter Wendy Anderson; four great grandchildren Nakieta Dietrich, Joplin Dietrich-Fink, Taylor Dietrich and Erik Dietrich-Seigfreid; one brother Gordon Berndt; sisters-in-law Ethel Stevens, Mildred Martin, Irlene Berndt and brother-in-law Rex Erps along with numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by: her parents; her husband Nig Martin; Infant son Jerry; brothers Rueben, Albert, Walter, Leslie and Russell; sisters Tyne, Marcie, Elva, Grace, Amy and Agnes as well as numerous sisters and brothers-in-law.
Gladys died Wednesday October 26, 2016 at the Billings Clinic Hospital with her daughter and niece Marne by her side.