Obituary of Gladys May Sauer

    Gladys May Fechter was born July 28, 1922, to Henry and Alberta (Schafer) Fechter on a farm east of Harris, Iowa. She attended rural schools in the Hartley, Iowa area, graduating from Hartley High School in 1939. She completed classes at Buena Vista College (University) in Storm Lake, Iowa, earning a teaching certificate and then taught in rural schools near Hartley for several years.

    Gladys met the love of her life, Russel Sauer, from Hartley. When Russel joined the Navy, she followed him to Long Island, New York prior to his deployment to the eastern theatre of WWII from 1942 through 1945. During this time, they were united in marriage on December 6, 1944, at the Morningside United Methodist parsonage in Sioux City, Iowa. Three children were born to this union: Beverly, Larry, and Bonnie.

    Upon Russel’s discharge they lived in the Hartley and Mountain Lake, Minnesota areas. They farmed in Minnesota until moving back to the Sauer homestead in 1957 where they farmed until 1959. They moved to Hartley where they were co-owners in K & S Grocery store with Marion and Hazel Koele. Being inside was not for Russel so they returned to farming, operating a tree trimming and farm service business. In 1969, they moved to Primghar, Iowa where they purchased the local hardware store and continued their farm service business. Gladys kept the home, raised the kids, and worked hard alongside Russel in every venture.

    In 1974, Gladys and Russ moved to a home in Loch Knolls on East Lake Okoboji where Gladys worked for Consumers Lumber in Spirit Lake, Iowa for several years. In 1981, they built their dream home on the Wahpeton canals on West Lake Okoboji. With this as home base, they spent many enjoyable and fun-filled winters at Fiesta Village in Mission, Texas. Throughout the years Russ and Gladys enjoyed camping with friends, relatives, and family. They were active in various square-dancing clubs throughout their travels. When Russel’s health declined in 1995, they moved to a home in Milford, Iowa; Russel went to be with the Lord later that year. Gladys enjoyed line dancing, going to and helping at Dinner Date, the Fun and Friendship Club in Milford, and was a member in several card clubs and a domino club. She also volunteered regularly as a member of the Lakes Regional Health Care Auxiliary and was very faithful in visiting shut-ins on a regular basis, whether they lived at home or in various nursing and assisted living facilities. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Milford and made hundreds of lap blankets for veterans.

    In 2007, Gladys moved to Homestead Cooperative in Spirit Lake. In 2023, she relocated to Spencer, Iowa, residing at St. Luke Lutheran Home and Spencer Post Acute Rehabilitation Center until she went to be with her Lord, receiving her angel wings Monday, April 7, 2025.

    Survivors include her children: Larry (Chris) Sauer of Ankeny, Iowa; Bonnie (Tim) Knight of Spencer, Iowa; grandchildren: Matthew (Mindi) Sauer of Ankeny; Jesse Miller of Ankeny; Kayla (AaKash) Knight of Apple Valley, Minnesota, and Joseph Knight of Spencer; great-grandchildren: Leah (Collin) Olson of Stuart, Iowa, Justice Miller and Malik Miller of Ankeny (children of Jesse), Kaden (Lyv) Sauer of Altoona, Iowa and Kenna Sauer of Chicago, Illinois (children of Matt); one great-great-grandchild, Koe Sauer; as well as other relatives and many friends.

    Preceding Gladys in death were her husband, Russel in 1995; her daughter, Bev in 2023; her brother, Lambert Fechter in 1959; and her parents, Henry and Alberta Fechter. Also preceding her in death was her beloved grandson, Jeffrey Russel Wittler in 2010.