Gloria Van Nyhuis
Gloria Grace Van Nyhuis, 77, of Nevis died Saturday, March 18, 2006 at MeritCare Hospital in Fargo.
She was born June 6, 1928 to William and Cecil (Sweneing) Brower in Doon, IA. As a small child she went to live with her grandparents in the Belgrade area, where she grew up and attended school. As a young woman, she worked at a nursing home.
She married William Van Nyhuis March 28, 1946 in Sheldon, IA. They had five children. In the 1950s they moved to Colorado Springs, CO. In 1960, they moved to Nevis, where they owned and operated their own floor covering business.
She married Melvin Botsford in 1996 in the Smoky Mountains of Gatlinburg, TN. They lived in Nevis until moving to Park Rapids this past year. They organized the "Uff-dah Days" celebration in Nevis in 2004 and have been a promoter of the event since. They were also active in the National Wild Turkey Federation.
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She was a member of St John's Lutheran Church and the Harold Harris VFW Post 8508 Auxiliary, both in Akeley and the Otto Hendrickson American Legion Post 212 Auxiliary in Park Rapids.
She is survived by her husband, Melvin; five children, Sue (Conrad) Nelson of St. Landry, LA, Chuck (Laurie) of Lyndon, WA, John (Carol) of Big Fork, Shelly Eischens of Jacksonville, NC and Jerry (Laurel) of Lakeville; two step-children: Karen (Don) Heathman of Houston, TX and Judy (Vernon) Aukes of Atlanta, GA; five siblings, Mavis McMurray of San Diego, CA, Wilma (Dean) Andrus of Nevis, Beverly (Larry) Preston of Park Rapids, Bonnie (Orville) Jetter of Sheldon, IA and Jack (Shirley) Swenehart of Phoenix; 18 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, William in 1994; brother, Billy; and a sister, Shirley Wittrock.
Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the church.
Funeral: 11 a.m. today (Wednesday) at St. John's Lutheran Church in Akeley with Rev. Harvey Kietzman officiating. Congregational hymns will be "What A Friend We Have In Jesus," "How Great Thou Art" and "Amazing Grace."
Casketbearers: Her grandchildren.
Interment: Lakeview Cemetery near Nevis
