Elda Gades

Elda Mae Gillaspey, daughter of Marvin and Esmer (Haarstick) Gillaspey, was born June 8, 1952 at Fergus Falls, Minnesota. She grew up in the Fergus Falls area, and was baptized on July 13, 1952 by Reverend Ralph K. Lindahl at Bagstevold Lutheran Church in Erhard, MN. She was later confirmed on May 14, 1967 by Reverend Otto Dale at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. Elda received her education at Fergus Falls Elementary School and Fergus Falls High School. After graduating from FFHS in 1970, she attended the Alexandria Technical College for one year. On July 22, 1972, Elda was united in marriage to Dwight Gades at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. Following their marriage, the couple lived for a short time in Texas, where Dwight was stationed in the military. After returning to Minnesota, they made their home in the Cyrus area, where they have lived for the past 27 years. Elda worked for the Cyrus Public Schools for a number of years and then worked with Dwight in their painting and decorating business for the next 10 years. She then began working for Prairie Community Services, where she worked for the next 10 years until her declining health forced her to stop working.



Elda was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Morris, where she had been active in the Women of Faith groups. She always loved spending time with family and spoiling her grandchildren. She also enjoyed vacationing on the lake, reading and attending her grandchildren?s sports activities and school functions.



Elda was a brave and wonderful woman. She fought the cancer stoically until the very end. Elda was more concerned about others feelings than she was about her own. She was a fantastic grandmother, a loving mother and dearly beloved wife. She touched the lives of everyone she knew and gave her strength to others who needed it most. She will be missed and will never be forgotten.



Elda died on Sunday, December 24, 2006 at her home in Cyrus, MN, having lived to reach the age of 54 years.



She is survived by her husband: Dwight Gades of Cyrus; three children: Denise (Mike) Dougherty of Glenwood, Matthew (Carly) Gades of Kerkhoven and Rachael Gades of Cyrus; four grandchildren: Austin Dougherty, Hunter Dougherty, Isabella Gades and Samuel Wollman; three step-grandchildren: Sam Dougherty, Luke Dougherty and Meagan Dougherty; two brothers: Marlyn (Inez) Gillaspey of Maple Grove and Mark (Brenda) Gillaspey of Belle Plaine: one sister: Violet (Tom) Cournia of Moorhead and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents: Marvin and Esmer Gillaspey and two infant grandsons: Aiden & Kayden Gades.



Pallbearers for the service will be: Marlyn Gillaspey, Mark Gillaspey, Neil Gades, Barry Gades, Jay Cournia, Zachary Gillaspey, Tom Cornia and Michael Dougherty. Honorary Pallbearers will be All of Elda's Grandchildren: Austin Dougherty, Hunter Dougherty, Samuel Wollman, Isabella Gades, Luke Dougherty, Sam Dougherty and Meagan Dougherty. Rita Lambert will serve as organist for the service, with Deb Alberts serving as soloist. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.