Obituary of Gladys Fast

Gladys Anne Frieda Fast (nee Jonasson) passed away peacefully with her family by her side, at Brandon Regional Health Centre in the late evening of Thursday, October 24, 2024 two days after her 85^th birthday. The last several years of her life were difficult, especially the last few weeks, so it truly was a blessing when God called her home.

Gladys was born in Langruth, MB on October 22, 1939 to Jonas and Annie Jonasson. She lived on a farm near Amaranth with her three brothers, Jonas, Valdie, and Harold. Gladys was a hard worker even as a young girl, milking cows, raking hay, and picking stones.

Gladys graduated from Glenella High School in 1957. In 1958, she moved to Rivers to work at the Royal Bank. It was there she met the love of her life Dickie Fast in October of that year. They met on the steps of the Rivers Post Office where Dick offered her a ride home. Gladys accepted and from that day they have been inseparable.

Gladys and Dick were married on April 9, 1960 in the Waldersee Lutheran Church. That was the beginning of their 64 ½ year journey together. Gladys moved to the farm east of Rivers with Dick and his dog Spot. In 1961, Gladys and Dick were blessed with their first child Kerry. In 1963 they welcomed their daughter Sandra and Gladys received a special gift on her birthday when their daughter Sherry was born in 1967.

Gladys worked over 30 years with the Royal Bank in Rivers, Rapid City, and Brandon. While working full-time, Gladys also helped Dick on the farm raising cattle, pigs, chickens, sheep, and goats, as well as grain farming. Gladys loved planting many flowers, keeping the yard full of blooms, as well as tending to all her indoor plants.

There is nothing on earth Gladys loved more than her grandchildren and great grandchildren and this feeling was mutual amongst all of them. She was the best Grandma ever and would spoil them immensely with cookies and candies. There were a lot of shenanigans that happened at Grandma’s house, mostly instigated by Grandma. The fun was endless and her grandchildren will carry these fond memories forever.

Gladys also loved to make crafts, knit, crochet, and sew, especially for her grandkids.

Gladys was pre-deceased by her parents Jonas and Annie Jonasson, her four brothers, Baby Baldimar, Jonas, Valdie, and Harold Jonasson and sister-in-law Norma Jonasson. Parents-in-law Dick Sr and Agatha Fast, brothers-in-law John Martens, Elmer Dyck, Eberhard Peetz, and George Kroeger, and sister-in-law MaryAnn Peetz.

Gladys is survived by her loving and dedicated husband Dick Fast, son Kerry, daughter Sandy (Kevin) Holmes, and daughter Sherry (Kevin) Loewen. Grandchildren Dustin (Denera) Holmes, Shawnee (Wesley) Penner, Carter and Kassidy Loewen. Great-grandchildren Evie Penner, Caleb Holmes, Liam Penner, and soon to be born in November, Baby Girl Holmes. Gladys is also survived by her sisters-in-law Diane Jonasson, Merlaine Jonasson, Lena Dyck, and Katie Kroeger, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Honourary Pallbearers are her loving grandchildren Dustin, Carter, Shawnee, and Kassidy.

A celebration of Gladys’ life will be held at McDiarmid Drive Alliance Church, 635 McDiarmid Drive, Brandon, MB on Friday, November 1, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. Interment will take place prior to the service, in Rapid City Cemetery, Friday November 1, 2024 at 10:30 am.