Gladys Ruth Bren Opstedahl, 97, of Union Center and formerly of Piedmont went to be with her savior Friday, November 9, 2012. Gladys, daughter of Leon and Anna Bren was born on the Old Bren Homestead on Elk Creek east of Piedmont, South Dakota January 13, 1915. She grew up there with 8 brothers and sisters. The children all attended the Burton School which was three miles west of the home. They drove a faithful horse "Sam", hitched to a covered buggy. The school burned down and was later rebuilt and moved and became known as the Benoit School.
Gladys was a tomboy most of her life. She remembers wearing overalls more than the other sisters because she was more tomboyish but they had to wear dresses and long black stockings and high shoes to school. Her mother always was telling her don't tear your dress. She attended country school and went to 9th grade at Rapid City High School.
She married the love the of her life, Arnold Opstedahl on October 20, 1937 at St Johns Norweigian Church in Rapid City
They were lifetime farmers/ranchers in Piedmont. Gladys and Arnold lived a very "self-sustaining" lifestyle on the farm. Together they raised cattle and milked cows. Gladys always loved to raise a garden, can the produce, and make butter and bake bread. She always raised chickens and had a route for selling cream and eggs for many years. She also loved to sew and made quilts for her grandchildren.
They were members of the Trinity Lutheran Church where Gladys taught Sunday School.
After Arnold passed away, Gladys continued to farm until her health prevented her from doing so. She moved to her son's ranch 2 1/2 years ago to be cared by her family.
She is survived by her son Ronald (Linda) Opstedahl of Union Center, 2 daughters, Lory (Wayne ) Tibbs of Mission Ridge, SD and Bonnie (Dale) Selin of Princeton , MN her sister , Martha King of Rapid City, 12 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Arnold in 1996, 5 sisters, Emma, Liddie, Lula, Clara and Dorothy, and 2 brothers Walter and Roy.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 from 5pm to 7pm at Kirk Funeral Home in Rapid City. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 1:00 pm at the funeral home with Pastor Harold Delbridge officiating. Interment will follow at Mt View Cemetery in Rapid City.
A memorial has been established to the Rainbow Bible Ranch.