Gladys Bass

Gladys L (Gunder) Bass was born on May 16, 1939, to the late Gearald and Wauneta (Woolever) Gunder, in Windom, Minnesota.  She was raised in the faith and attended the Evangelical Free Church in Windom.  Gladys attended Great Bend District No. 2 country school through grade six.  She later graduated from Windom Public Schools. 

On November 30, 1963, Gladys was united in marriage to Ernest Bass at the Evangelical Free Church in Windom.  They made their home in Windom.  The couple was blessed with three sons, Daniel, Timothy, and Merle.  Gladys worked at Toro for 28 years.  She and Ernie enjoyed polka dancing.  Throughout the years, they were members of the Leon Olsen, Larry Olsen, and Marv Nissel Polka Fan Clubs.  She also loved her Diet Dr. Pepper! 

After retirement, Gladys and Ernie traveled quite a bit, before moving to Slayton, Minnesota.  In February 2017, they moved to Chandler, to be closer to their son, Tim.  A few months later, Ernest passed away after a short battle with cancer.  In 2020, Gladys moved to Cottonwood Ridge Senior Apartments in Springfield, Minnesota.  She enjoyed walking the halls at her apartment, visiting her neighbors, completing crossword puzzles, and reading.  Gladys’ declining health prompted a move to Prairie Senior Cottages in early 2023.

On April 19, 2023, Gladys passed away peacefully at the Prairie Senior Cottages in New Ulm.  

Left to cherish Gladys’ memory, are her two sons, Daniel (Kim) Bass of Mankato, and Timothy (Darial Klabunde) Bass of Springfield; four grandchildren, Chelsey, Molly, Seth and Kayla; two step grandchildren, Sheena and John; three great-grandchildren; four step great-grandchildren; two sisters, Marie McRunnel of Mountain Lake, and Deb Loen of Morris; two sisters-in-law, Adeline Bass of Okabena, and Mary Bass of Lakefield; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Gladys was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Bass; one son, Merle Bass; two granddaughters, Amber and Autumn Bass; her parents; two brothers, Ronald Gunder and Kenneth Gunder; eight brothers-in-law, Gary McRunnel, Kevin Loen, Walter Onken, Arthur Bass, Harold Bass, Clarence Bass, George Bass, and Robert Bass; and three sisters-in-law, Peggy Onken, Verna Bass and Delores Bass. 

Blessed be the memory of Gladys Bass.