Gladys M. Donnay

Obituary

Gladys Mary Kostecka was born on January 19, 1931, in Glencoe, Minnesota.  She was the daughter of Theodore and Anna (Urban) Kostecka.  Gladys was baptized as an infant on March 1, 1931, made her First Solemn Communion and was later Confirmed in her faith on May 9, 1943, all at St. George Catholic Church in Glencoe, Minnesota.   She attended school at District 29, grades 1-8,  then attended Glencoe High School graduating with the Class of 1949.  Gladys continued her education with Teacher’s Training graduating in 1950. She taught school in Sibley County, Minnesota and continued teaching at Sherman Station in McLeod County, Minnesota.

On September 15, 1953, Gladys was united in marriage to Kenneth William Donnay at St. George Catholic Church in Glencoe, Minnesota.  Gladys and Kenneth made their home on a farm in rural Glencoe and then in 1988 moved into town.  Their marriage was blessed with seven children, Diana, Bruce, Ronald, Lois, David, Infant Daughter, and James.  Gladys and Kenneth shared over 64 years of marriage together until Kenneth passed away on March 2, 2018.  

Gladys was a busy lady. She was the wife of a dairy farmer for 35 years and helped care for the farm, the home and the children. Gladys and Kenneth received the McLeod County Farm Family Award in 1983. Gladys was a part of numerous clubs and committees and loved helping people and volunteering her time. Gladys was a board member of the Bergen Home Extension Group. She was a room mother for 6 years at the Church of St. Pius X school, was a member of the CCW with the Church of St. Pius X in which at times she was the secretary, treasurer, funeral chairperson, and on the calendar committee. Gladys was a Eucharist Minister at Church of St. Pius X as well as a member of the mission club. She was a chapter mother for the F.H.A. and adult 4-H project leader. Gladys was also a substitute aid at Helen Baker School, worked as a site manager for the senior dining hall, and volunteered at the Glencoe Regional Health Center gift shop.

Gladys enjoyed gardening, studying genealogy, scrapbooking and card club. She loved spending time in the kitchen making kolaches and sewing baby blankets, quilts, and Christmas stockings for the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She greatly cherished the time she spent with her grandkids and loved the summer sleepovers with ALL of them at the same time. One of the most favorite memories from these sleepovers, was when Gladys would play bingo with them and the winner would receive the prize of school supplies.

Gladys passed away on Sunday, June 19, 2022, at her home at Grand Meadows Senior Living in Glencoe, Minnesota, at the age of 91 years. Blessed be her memory.

Gladys is survived by her:
Children, Diana Nelson of New London, MN,
                 Bruce Donnay and his wife, Linda, of Glencoe, MN,
                 Ronald Donnay and his wife, Debra, of Glencoe, MN,
                 Lois Tritz and her husband, Terry, of Glencoe, MN,
                 David Donnay and his wife, Colleen, of Norwood Young America, MN,
                 James Donnay and his wife, Laura, of Glencoe, MN;
Grandchildren, Christopher (Kelly) Nelson, Trisha (Shawn) Terning, Megan (Brian) Palmquist, Tyler Donnay, Brian (Tara) Donnay, Lisa (Jason) Bosley, Laura (Tony) Lindeman, Andrew (Katie) Tritz, Nicholas (Amanda) Tritz, Andrea Donnay, Rachel (Jon) Ruzicka, Phillip Donnay, James (Ashley) Carlson, Michael Donnay, Aaron (special friend, Brianna Manderscheid) Donnay;
28 Great-Grandchildren;
Sister, Marcella Matousek of Glencoe, MN;
Brothers, Richard Kostecka of Princeton, MN, Taffy (Maggie) Kostecka of Buckman, MN, Harvey (Paulette) Kostecka of Young America, MN;
Sister-In-Law, Delores Donnay of Glencoe, MN;
Nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Gladys was preceded in death by her Parents, Theodore and Anna Kostecka; Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, Godfrey and Frances Donnay; Husband, Kenneth Donnay; Infant Daughter; Infant Grandson; Son-In-Law, Dave Nelson; Sister, Bernice Nowak; Sister-in-law, Beverly Kostecka; Brothers-in-law, Francis Rozeski, Harold Matousek, Art Nowak, LeRoy Donnay.