Gladys Trapp, age 88, of Maple Grove, MN, formerly of Mahnomen, MN, passed away on Monday, January 27, 2025, at The Willows of Arbor Lakes Care Facility, in Maple Grove.
Gladys Esther, the daughter of Harry and Delphine (Tibodeau) Mishke, was born on September 18, 1936, near Waubun, MN. Gladys, along with her eight siblings, grew up in the Waubun-Ogema area. She attended school in Waubun and was a proud “Bomber.” On June 18, 1955, Gladys was united in marriage to Jerome Trapp and they began their family together. They made their home on a farm near Mahnomen and were blessed with six children. In addition to raising their children, Gladys was active on the farm. Alongside Jerome, she fed and milked the cows, worked the fields, picked rock, and had chickens. She also cared for the farmyard, raised a garden and fed the work crew. Gladys was an amazing baker known for her homemade buns, bread, and caramel rolls. She had a sweet tooth herself and liked making a variety of treats. She spent hours canning, pickling both cucumbers and beets, and making jelly. Gladys and Jerome enjoyed socializing and visiting with neighbors whenever they could. They often attended card parties, and she gathered regularly with her ladies’ coffee group. They also liked to snowmobile on area lakes, polka and waltz, and playing cards together. In her quieter times, Gladys kept her hands busy with embroidery, playing solitaire, and painting. Gladys had a deep faith in her Lord which was a constant source of support in her life. Shortly after Jerome’s death in 2020, Gladys moved to Maple Grove where she has made her home since.
She is survived by six children: Debroah Trapp of Fargo, ND, Marlene Trapp of Ashburn, VA, Jerome Trapp Jr. of Hanover, MN, Robert (Les Ottjes) Trapp of Scottsdale, AZ, Richard (Jolene) Trapp of Twin Valley, MN, and Rebecca “Becky” Trapp of Johnson, MN; granddaughter, Heather (Brandon Elichuk) Trapp, grandson, Chad (Molly Haker) Trapp, and grandson, Harrison Jerome Richard Trapp; two great grandchildren: Rose and Katie Elichuk; one sister, Eleanor Sartwell; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; Harry and Delphine; husband, Jerome; daughter-in-law, Kathy Trapp; her grandson, Adam Trapp; and seven of her siblings: Elaine Nichols, Marilyn (James) Jordan, Dorothy Horton, Carol Simmons, Larry Mischke, Richard Mischke, and Henry Mischke.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 2:00 pm, with visitation starting one hour before, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mahnomen. The burial will take place at Riverside Memorial Park in Mahnomen.
