Funeral services for Gladys (Kuiper) Shortenhaus, 99, of Albert Lea will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Crossroads Church in Albert Lea. The Revs. Jeff Phelps and  Bruce Schoeman will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at a later date.

Gladys was born on Dec. 30, 1918, on a farm near Springfield, South Dakota. She was the daughter of Ralph and Tillie (Wynia) Kuiper.

After high school graduation she continued her education at Central College in Pella, Iowa. She was an elementary school teacher for several years.

While teaching in Buffalo Center, Iowa, she met Harry Shortenhaus. They were married on June 23, 1944. They farmed near Buffalo Center then moved to Eagle Grove, Iowa, where they lived most of their married life. They moved to Albert Lea in 2000.

Gladys and Harry were involved in Lay Witness Missions and Couples Clubs, encouraging people to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Gladys also led Friendship Bible Coffees and traveled throughout the Midwest as a speaker for Christian Women’s Clubs.

One of her hobbies was painting. She often used it to demonstrate her faith in God by creating a painting as she spoke. Her message culminated with the poem “The Brush.”

Gladys had various hobbies and interests including quilting/crocheting, playing the organ, watching football, researching her family genealogy and reveling in spirited conversations on politics and faith. She was an avid reader and a life-long learner. Gladys had an amazing sense of humor and was at her happiest taking part in fun family times. At her core she loved the Lord and she loved her family.

Survivors include daughter-in-law, Karen Shortenhaus, of Delevan, Wisconsin; daughters Priscilla (Bruce) Schoeman of Willmar and Barb (Steve) McKenney in Albert Lea; grandchildren Scott (Jen) Shortenhaus, James (Libby) Shortenhaus, Amy (Jonathan) Gunderson, Tim (Karly) Schoeman, Matthew Schoeman, Brian (Sarah) McKenney and Nathan (Laura) McKenney; great-grandchildren Adeleigh, Piper, Britta and Winter Shortenhaus, Ella and Abigail Shortenhaus, Sage and Sawyer Gunderson, Morgan and Bailey Schoeman, Liam, Asher, Pippa, Matilda, Millicent and Frances McKenney, Livian, Cyndel and Dylann McKenney; and nieces and nephews.

Gladys was preceded in death by her husband, Harry; her son, Harold; her parents and siblings.

“We were very blessed to have Gladys as a mom, grandma and great-grandma. She was a shining example of God’s love. We will miss her until we see her again. Her greatest adventure has just begun!” her family said.

Well done, my good and faithful servant.

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be forwarded by the family to some of Gladys’s favorite causes: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Albert Lea Youth for Christ, Christian Servicemen’s Organization and Samaritan’s Purse.