Gladys A. Chelgren , 72, Phoenix, AZ, formerly of Minot, ND, died Tuesday, September 27, 2011 in a Phoenix Hospital.

Gladys was born December 26, 1937 at Foley, Minnesota, the daughter of Carl and Lena (Zuhlke) Chelgren. She was raised and educated at Rolla, ND and moved with her family to Minot in 1949. She graduated from Minot High School in 1955.

Gladys attended St. Luke's School of Nursing in Fargo, where she received a nursing degree, and later became a registered nurse . She moved to Denver, CO, where she was employed with the Veteran's Hospital there for seventeen years. She then served as a nurse overseas with the Hildebrand Corporation in India, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia for several years. Gladys assisted in organizing and standardizing infection control programs in the Veteran's Administration system.

She returned to the United States and lived in California for a short time and later in Phoenix, where she has resided the past seventeen years. She retired in 1999.

Gladys was a member of the Dayspring United Methodist Church of Tempe, AZ. She enjoyed reading and doing volunteer work at her church. She was an avid bridge player.

Her loving family includes: sisters, Carlene Aliferis, Alpena, MI, Lorraine Thomas, Minot, ND, and Marie Williams, Martinez, CA; along with several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Celebration of Life service: Saturday, October 8, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. in Vincent United Methodist Church, Minot.
Visitation: Friday, October 7th from 2:00-5:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to Dayspring United Methodist Church 1365 E Elliot Road Tempe, AZ 85284-1608 or an organization of the donor's choice.