Gladys Hilda Irene Kimball

Gladys Hilda Irene Kimball, 78, of rural Menahga, MN died on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 at St. Joseph's Area Health Services in Park Rapids, MN. She was born to Carl and Hilda (Koskela) Haataja on June 16, 1933 in Wolf Lake Township. She was raised and educated in the Wolf Lake/Midway, MN area. She was married to Vernon Kimball on December 12, 1953 in Spruce Grove Township until his death in 1997. This union was blessed with 7 children. They initially started their family in Chisholm, MN. They returned to the Menahga area in 1959. In 1962 they moved to Midway where they owned and operated the store until 1977. At that time they moved east of Wolf Lake to the old Haataja homestead where she resided until she entered Green Pine Acres Nursing Home on June 28, 2011. She worked at Badoura Nursery for several summers, Green Pine Acres for 12 years and helped Dad on the farm all while raising their family. She was a devoted member of Laestadian Lutheran Church in Wolf Lake, MN. She was a strong, generous person, and faithfully served the Lord. She is survived by 3 sons: Glenn (Laura) Kimball of Sebeka, Daryl (Lorri) Kimball of Menahga, and Terry (Val) Kimball of Hubbard; and 4 daughters: Verdell (Wayne) Shepersky of Sebeka, Bonita Wagner of Frazee, Carolyn (Ron) Munger of Menahga, and Shelly (Joel) Martin of Bothell, WA; 40 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren. She is also survived by 2 brothers: Howard Haataja of Sebeka and Harold Haataja of Menahga; 2 sisters-in-law: Donna Haataja and Elaine Haataja both of Menahga; 1 brother-in-law Floyd (Eloise) Kimball of Stillwater; 1 uncle Albert (Beatrice) Haataja of Menahga and 2 aunts Thelma (Fred) Halonen of Cokato and Olga Johnson of Grand Forks, ND, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband and parents, 2 brothers Harvey Haataja and Wendell Haataja, and an infant grandson David Martin and Ruth Kimball. Visitation will be from 5-8 PM Friday, September 2, 2011 a Wevley Funeral Home in Sebeka, MN. Funeral Services will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, September 3, 2011 at the Wolf Lake Laestadian Lutheran Church with Ron Honga officiating. Active Casketbearers include Joshua Kimball, Corey Pudas, Craig Pudas, Colby Pudas, Travis Wagner, Patrick Kimball, Jerry Kimball, and Ethan Thompson. Interment will be at Balmi Cemetery.