Gladys Mollet

Gladys Mollet

RANDOLPH — Gladys Mollet, 102, Randolph, died Feb. 6, 2023. Her life was full, filled to the brim with home, family, friends, community and teaching.

Funeral services were Feb. 13 at Nathanael Lutheran Church, Alcester. Visitation and a prayer service were Sunday at the church.

Gladys Louise Larson (Larsen) Mollet was born July 15, 1920, in Geddes, S.D., Charles Mix County, to Chris and Louise (Frohreich) Larson. When Gladys was 13 months old, she fought the fight of her life having Polio, paralyzing her right hand and arm. She worked hard milking cows and grazing them all day, every day. She attended Sunset Country School, graduating from Geddes High School. She enjoyed Home Ec., Band, Chorus, Declam, Geography and long-lasting friendships. She was confirmed at West Lake Lutheran Church, Lake Andes, SD. Because Gladys had polio, her parents thought she should have an education after high school. She graduated from Notre Dame, Mitchell, S.D., with a teaching certificate. She taught two years at Fairview Country School before moving with her parents to Union County, S.D. The need to find land where it rained, became a necessity in 1941. Gladys’ new position of teaching was at Ludwig country school, Union County.

Gladys’ special fella, Vernon Otis Mollet, also of Geddes,went off to war in 1942 and Gladys continued to teach. Her family then moved north of Alcester, where Gladys taught at Miller Country School. Verne came home safely and two weeks later they were married, Oct, 30, 1946, at Nathanael Lutheran Church, Alcester, S.D. Verne and Gladys farmed west of Alcester their entire married life. They were proud parents of four children. Gladys went back to teaching country schools in 1964,while she took night and summer classes at the University of South Dakota, to obtain her BSE in teaching, teaching in country schools, Elmwood, Dodd, Glenwood, Newdale, Brule and Beresford. Verne died June 13, 1983. Gladys remained on the farm, taking on many community leadership positions in the VFW, church, 4 H, Extension clubs, quilters.

In 1995, Gladys moved into Alcester, and later into an apartment where she so much enjoyed new and old friendships. Gladys lived at Hillcrest Care Center and later Colonial Manor, Randolph, where she has family nearby.

Gladys is survived by her four children, Janene (Curt) Abrahamson, Weatherby, Mo.; Janiece (Riley) Gall, Yankton, S.D.; Murray (Neilla) Mollet, Whitewood, S.D.; Marlon (Pam) Mollet, Sioux Falls, S.D.; 10 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

Gladys is preceded in death by her husband of 36 years, Vernon Otis; infant son, John Ardel Mollet; great-grandson, Dalton Benjamin Gall; mother, Louise Frohreich Larson; father, Chris Larson; beloved step mother, Ida DeHaven Larson; sister, Viola Larson Biddle; brother-inlaw, Virgil Biddle; nieces, Verla Biddle, Glenda (Arnie) Johnson and Virginia Biddle; and Doris Carlson, devoted friend and cousin by marriage.