Gladys Jean (Rausch) Pranke

Gladys Jean Geske was born June 3, 1922 in Wheatland, ND to George and Sophia Geske. She graduated from Casselton, High School. She married Dick Rausch in January 1943 and she lived in Iowa during WWII while Dick served in the Army overseas. They moved to Fargo until 1964, to Sioux Falls and then to Bozeman, MT until Dick’s death in 1967. Gladys moved back to Fargo and married Eldon Pranke in 1969. Eldon died in 1993. She was with her special friend, Jack King until his death.

Gladys worked at Herbst Department Store and for Lutheran Social Services for many years. She was active in Fine Arts Club. She was an excellent bowler, cake decorator and loved to entertain and cook. She loved the lake area and also was an avid fisherwoman!

Gladys died December 26, 2017 in Centennial Hospice Cottage in Sioux Falls, SD. She was 95.

Gladys is survived by her son, Tom (Cindy) Rausch, Sioux Falls, SD; her brother, Bob (Ruth) Geske, Fargo, ND; sister-in-law, Ann Geske, Stevens, PA; 5 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dick Rausch; husband, Eldon Pranke; son, Richard Rausch; daughter, Shannon (Boyle) Pizarro; brothers, Richard Geske and George Geske; sisters, Florence Sell and Evelyn Gronland.