Gladys Bogotty

Reflections on the life of my mother, Gladys Skaar Bogotty My mother’s early childhood was one of family love and loss. Her father, Lorentz Skaar emigrated from Norway in 1909 at the age of 19. Her mother, Johanna Wangen, grew up in Cannon Falls, Minnesota. Johanna’s parents were Norwegian immigrants. Lorentz and Johanna married and had four sons; Melvin, Arthur, Irvin, and Gordon, and two daughters; Leona and Gladys. The family resided in St. Paul during the harsh Depression years of the early 1930’s. Gladys was only nine years old when her mother died in 1934. Her father was not able to care for their six children, so the family was then split up. Gladys, along with her brother Gordon moved to the home of their maternal aunt and uncle who lived near Staples, Minnesota. Her sister, Leona moved near Granby, Minnesota; the three older brothers moved to be with other family near Baldwin, Wisconsin. When Gladys was in her teens, she and her brother Gordon moved to live with a foster family in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. Mother and her siblings lost touch with each other and reunited after World War II. In 1941, when the United States entered World War II, Gladys was 17 years old and in high school. Many of her classmates and all four of her brothers served in the military. Gladys graduated from White Bear Lake High School in 1942. In 1943, Gladys entered the Cadet Nursing Program at Bethesda Hospital School of Nursing, graduating with the class of 1946 (her father died in 1944). Following graduation Gladys worked at the Marine Hospital in San Francisco, California. By 1948 she was back in St. Paul and met my father, Joseph Bogotty, through mutual friends. They married July 17, 1948. They had a loving relationship for over 39 years. She worked at Miller Hospital. In 1952 I was born. My mother was able to be at home during my early childhood years. She returned to work part-time when I was in elementary school. She worked as a Registered Nurse for Dr. Malcolm Pearson until her retirement in 1987. My mother’s life was full. She loved people – especially children, the beauty of nature, gardening, reading, and spirited political discussions. She and my father had a welcoming home and many lively parties. Gladys was not shy, nor did she shy away from conflict. You could count on her to speak her mind, yet she was non-judgmental towards others. Gladys cherished her monthly Nurse’s Club with her Bethesda classmates – which continued for over 60 years! Annual vacations to Crosslake with dear friends and their families were always memorable. Gladys was a long time member of Grace Lutheran Church. She and my father also participated in local VFW organizations. Their travels included a Mediterranean cruise, and various trips throughout the United States and Canada. My father died in 1987 at the age of 71. Following this loss, my mother continued to enjoy gatherings of family and friends, lunches at the Gladstone Senior Center and dances at the Moose Club. She dearly loved times with her grandchildren and their children. In 2001, at the age of 77, together with John and me, she visited Norway, and the family home of her father. She met several first cousins and other relatives. She was also able to meet John’s relatives at the Tallaksen family reunion. In her later years, my mother continued to be social, vocal, and spunky. She lived in her home until she was 87 years old -largely due to the support of her loving neighbors. Due to memory issues, she attended the Adult Day Program at Cerenity by Mounds Park and then lived a short time in their assisted living. She then lived with John and me for six months and in May, 2012, moved to St. Anthony Park Home, where she received loving care for her last years of life. While there, she was content. She enjoyed visitors, especially visits from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Recently, she shifted from talking all of the time to singing her own tunes. It was sweet and delightful – most of the time. On her last day of life, she did not talk but she did hum a little of “You are My Sunshine”. I am thankful for all the loving family, friends, and nursing home staff that were such an important part of my mother’s life and such a tremendous support to me. Lovingly, Linda Olson