Gladys Eddie

Gladys Eddie, 84, of Storm Lake died Feb. 8, 2026, at Methodist Manor in Storm Lake.

Funeral service will take place Friday, Feb. 13, at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be in Storm Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday, Feb. 12, from 4-7 p.m. at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Storm Lake. Viewing will resume Friday, Feb. 13, at 9:30 a.m. until service time at the church. Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of arrangements.

Gladys Ann (Pedersen) Eddie was born on Oct. 12, 1941, at the Pedersen family farm near Newell to Jens and Lillie Pedersen. She grew up alongside her two older brothers, Gunnar and Glen, in a home rooted in faith, music and hard work.

Gladys’s life was not one lived in the spotlight, but it was one of steady love, generous service and unwavering commitment. Ever selfless, she gave her best to her family and her church. Her legacy lives on in the generations she nurtured, the hymns she played and the countless quiet acts of love that shaped the lives of all who knew her.

From an early age, Gladys made the most of the opportunities available to girls at the time. She began piano lessons in second grade and continued through high school. In fifth grade, she and a dear friend traveled to Storm Lake for ballet and tap lessons, delighting audiences in local talent shows. By eighth grade, she was playing the organ at church, a commitment she would lovingly carry on for more than 50 years. In high school, Gladys cheered at football games and played guard on the six-on-six girls’ basketball team.

She graduated from Newell High School in 1959 and attended Iowa State Teacher’s College in Cedar Falls the following year. However, it was a blind date on New Year’s Eve in 1958 that changed the course of her life. Mutual friends introduced her and Russell Eddie. The two danced the night away at the Cobblestone, beginning a partnership that would span decades. They were united in marriage on Aug. 6, 1960.

Together they built a life rooted in love and family. They lived in Des Moines and Perry before settling in Royal, where Russell taught school. During those years, they welcomed daughter, Julie, and sons, Thomas and Robert. Later, they moved to rural Truesdale had their youngest son, Steven, and continued farming and raising hogs as part of the Eddie Brothers Partnership for 23 years.

Farm life kept them busy, but baseball carried them far beyond Iowa. Gladys and Russell traveled across the country to support their sons’ collegiate careers, rarely missing an opportunity to be in the stands. In many ways, the ballpark became their vacation home, a place for family gatherings, new friendships and where memories were made season after season.

She found joy in the community as well, whether at area bowling leagues or as an organist at St. Mark Lutheran Church. Gladys built a life rich in family, friendship and faith, and she volunteered wherever there was a need.

In 1982, she became a grandmother, a role she lovingly embraced. In the years that followed, her family grew to include 10 grandchildren. In 1986, Gladys started a new chapter, working part-time at Hill-Rouse and later at Piper Jaffray. In 1989, she and Russell moved from the farm into Storm Lake.

What followed was many years of family trips to Minnesota and Michigan and treasured memories. Countless phone calls kept the family connected between visits. Gladys and Russell followed their grandchildren’s academic and athletic pursuits with great enthusiasm. They were especially proud supporters of Buena Vista University, where five grandchildren attended and competed in athletics.

In 2014, Gladys and Russell became great-grandparents and welcomed a new generation with love, the same steady care and lively games of Old Maid.

Gladys was often the quiet mainstay who made sure everyone was cared for. She managed the busy rhythms of farm and family life with grace. She rarely sought recognition, yet her fingerprints were on everything: the schedules kept, the meals shared, the clothes folded, the rides given, the prayers offered and enduring support. She was always present at her children’s and grandchildren’s activities celebrating the successes of her family with pride.

Gladys is survived by her husband of 65 years, Russell; her daughter Julie Meyer (Terry) of Albert City; and her sons: Thomas (Stephanie) of Edina, Minn.; Robert (Terri) of Grand Rapids, Mich.; and Steven (Stacey) of Storm Lake. 

Her grandchildren include: Justin Meyer, Lindsey Calderon (Matt), Kelsey Meyer, Derek Eddie (Anna), Neil Eddie (Laurel), Kelli Eddie, Jenna Eddie, Mark Eddie, Jake Eddie and Madison Porter. Her great-grandchildren include Mia Meyer, Cora Meyer, Emma Meyer, Oliver Eddie, Dax Eddie, Wesley Calderon, Carter Calderon and Cooper Eddie. 

She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Jan Pedersen, and many beloved Pedersen and Eddie nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jens and Lillie; her brother Gunnar and his wife Joanne; her brother Glen; her brothers-in-law and their wives: Dean (Mary) Eddie, Roger (Marlene) Eddie, Darrell (Betty) Eddie; her nieces, Carol Williams and Stephanie Dalbey; and her great-nephew, Kane Pedersen.

The Eddie family extends their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Otsego Place, Methodist Manor and St. Croix Hospice for their kindness and compassionate care.