Mary Elizabeth Gladney

Mary Elizabeth Gladney (mother Mary to most), 74, of Blackduck, MN died peacefully in her home after a long fight with cancer on November 3, 2025.
Funeral arrangements are pending for the near future.
Mary was born on August 27, 1951 in Kirkwood, Missouri, the eldest daughter of Daniel and Dorthy (Lange) Wright. She graduated in 1968 from Eastside High School in East St. Louis, IL. In 1977, she met and married Arthur Gladney in a backyard ceremony in St. Louis, MO. Mary hated to keep still and was always working on something. She spent many years as a clerk for the Illinois Secretary of state. A lifelong church member, she joined the Salvation Army when she move from California to Fergus Falls, MN. She not only worked for the Salvation Army as a secretary and cook, she volunteered and was an active member teaching Sunday school, performing outreach, and signing in the choir.
On July 4th, 1997, the direction of her life changed. Wally and Vi Mandrued invited Mary and her family camping at Rodgers on Upper Red Lake. Mary and her husband fell in love not only with campground, but all the people on it so much so they decided to make this area their home in their years. Mary worked for Rodgers for around 16 years before making her way into Blackduck where she worked at the local grocery store. Mary thoroughly enjoyed her time at the grocery store getting to meet everyone in town and those passing through. Mary truly never met a stranger. Mary also enjoyed gardening and attempting to befriend any animal that passed her way. Mary was an active and beloved member of First Presbyterian church. She enjoyed making peoples days better, brighter, and easier if she could.
Mary is survived by her sons, Samuel Wright of Fairview Heights, IL, Steven Campbell of Marshal, MN, and daughter Taffeny Gladney of Blackduck, MN; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; her close friends Rodney Boelz, Lori Notsch, Kathy Baazard, Joani Barthel and many others too numerous to mention; 4 siblings Elizabeth Clark, Robert Wright, Barbara Wright, and Roberta Wright.
She will now be reunited with those who left before her, her husband Arthur Gladney, parents Daniel and Dorthy Wright, brother Clarence Wright, granddaughter Mercedes Wright, and her favorite cat Tippy.
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Messages of condolence may be sent to ceasefuneralhome.com