Gladys Peterson

With heavy hearts and much love, we remember the beautiful life of Gladys Peterson, who passed away peacefully on October 13, 2025, at the age of 93. Gladys touched many through her love and devotion as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend-roles she truly cherished. In her final days, Gladys was lovingly surrounded by her family.
Born on December 24, 1931, Gladys grew up in Northeast Minneapolis, where she treasured spending time with her grandmother on the family farm, enjoyed endless adventures at Columbia Park, explored the outdoors catching spiders and frogs in the pond near her home, and discovered a passion for music through playing the violin.
In 1954, Gladys married her one and only love, Bill. They shared thirty years of a loving marriage, raising their children in a close-knit Northeast neighborhood. After dedicating three decades to Northwestern Bell Telephone Company, where she contributed to implementing 911 emergency services in Minnesota and formed many lifelong friendships, Gladys retired at the age of 52, shortly after Bill's death in 1984. One of the most cherished chapters of her life was becoming a grandma, creating lasting memories for her grandchildren through her warmth, gentle guidance, and unwavering support.
Knowing Gladys meant knowing delicious home-cooked meals, irresistible cookies, and warm holiday gatherings. Her home will always be remembered as a place of joy, comfort, and togetherness. She expressed her artistic spirit through calligraphy, embroidery, sewing-including her own wedding dress and countless dresses, costumes, and dance recital outfits for her daughter and granddaughters-and even took up painting in her eighties. She loved spending time outdoors and could often be found tending to her flower garden or out on her daily walk. Most importantly, Gladys was known for her kind heart, caring nature, and deep devotion to her loved ones-her family was her greatest joy. She faithfully remembered us in her prayers every night and had a beautiful way of making us feel special and loved.
Gladys was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; infant son, Mark; parents, Chet and Kate Sopcinski; and brother, Ray Sopcinski. She is survived by her loving children, Greg Peterson and Laurie (Rich) Bialek; sister-in-law, Dee Sopcinski; grandchildren Michelle (Cory) Bloom, Tina (Sam) Mielke, Marissa Kritzeck, Katie Jo Bialek, and Karli (Caleb) Newton; great-grandchildren Liam, Bennett, Ella, Emmett, Brody, Evelyn, Lauren, Jozie, Owen, Jack, Elsie; and countless others who lovingly knew her as Grandma Gladys and Auntie Gladys.
We are deeply grateful for every moment spent with Gladys and will miss her dearly. She wove together a life of beauty in every sense, and the legacy she leaves behind will continue to inspire those of us blessed to know her. Her strength, kindness, humble nature, endless grace, heart of service, and steadfast love will be in our hearts forever.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the outstanding staff at New Perspectives of Rosedale and Brighton Hospice for their kindness and compassionate care toward Gladys throughout her final months and days.
A celebration to honor Gladys and her life will be held on Sunday, November 16th, from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM at Applewood Pointe of New Brighton.