Obituaries

Gladys A. Rogeness, 98, of Britt, passed away on Monday, February 2, 2009 at Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt.

Funeral services for Gladys Rogeness will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2009 at Zion Church of the Nazarene in Britt with Pastor Ron McKee officiating. Burial will be at 1:30 p.m. at Crystal Township Cemetery in Crystal Lake.

Visitation for Gladys Rogeness will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, February 6, 2009 with the family present to greet friends at Ewing Funeral Chapel, 178 Center Street West, in Britt and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church.

Gladys Agnes (Balk) Rogeness was born June 7, 1910 at Walnut Grove, Minnesota to Dirk and Lillie Balk. In 1918 the family moved to University Park, Iowa. She graduated from John Fletcher Academy in University Park in 1929 and completed her Registered Nurse Degree at Mahaska Hospital in Oskaloosa, Iowa in 1931.

On June 18, 1937 she married Roy W. Rogeness and lived on their farm near Crystal Lake all her married life. Gladys was a member of First United Methodist Church in Crystal Lake until 1951 and then became a member of the Britt Zion Church of the Nazarene for her remaining 57 years. She worked as an RN for the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt; Dr. Safely in Forest City and Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Forest City. In the fall of 2003 she moved to The Summit House in Britt and due to failing health spent her remaining time at the Britt hospital.

Gladys had a radiant smile for everyone, unconditional love for family and friends and a deep faith in God. She will be forever loved and missed.

Gladys is survived by her three children: Richard and Marie Rogeness of Forest City and their children Gary (Michelle), Sheila, Swen “Joe” and Steve Rogeness, Stephanie (Doyle) Smidt and Chris (Chris) Larsen; Elaine and David Hart of Berthoud, Colorado and their children Dennis, Donald and Daniel Hart; and Mary and Bruce Halverson of Britt and their children Brent and Jody (Peggy) Halverson. Also surviving are 17 great-grandchildren; a nephew, Alfred (Phyllis) Balk and their two daughters; and a niece, Virginia Pickering.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Roy Rogeness; an infant son, James Leroy; her parents Dirk and Lillie Balk; and her brothers, Alfred and Leslie Balk.

The family is most grateful to the staff of Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt. Their caring, loving kindness was most appreciated. Also special thanks to Pastor McKee for his support and caring and his wonderful visits.