Gladys Evelyn Thurnau, 81, of Owatonna, died Sunday November 24, 2013, at Traditions 1 in Owatonna. Gladys was born January 16, 1932 in Pratt, Minnesota the daughter of George and Inga (Svenby) Hornstein. She was raised near Owatonna and attended country school West of Medford. Following school she helped on the family farm. She was united in marriage to Richard Thurnau on May 21, 1950 and they were blessed with 8 children. She worked for Manpower Services and also as a homemaker raising her children. Gladys was an excellent baker. Making many wedding, graduation and birthday cakes. She made pies for the Aurora Diner at the Steele County Free Fair as well. Some of her other interests were gardening and canning. She served as a 4H leader and Sunday School Teacher for many years. Her work was her social life. She enjoyed visiting with her co-workers. Gladys was quick witted, catching her family and friends off guard with one-liners and words of wisdom. She absolutely loved her family and will be dearly missed by them as well as her many friends. She is survived by her children Barb (and Jim) Yanke of Dodge Center; Steve Thurnau of Claremont; Bob (and Marcia) Thurnau of Owatonna; Clyde (and Mary) Thurnau of Cohasset; Craig Thurnau of Claremont; Kenny (and Jenny) Thurnau of Blooming Prairie; Dwayne Thurnau (and Michael Martinez) of Chandler, AZ; Michelle (and Bob) Arett of Blooming Prairie; 13 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; her brothers and sisters Floyd (and Charlene) Hornstein of Owatonna; Marian Houglum of Medford; Dorothy (and Glenn) Hale of Owatonna; Alice Simon of Owatonna; sisters-in-laws Carol Hornstein of Owatonna and Darlene Bendorf of Owatonna and her Traditions Family. She was preceded in death by her husband Richard, her grandson, Colton Arett, her parents, brother, Harold Hornstein and sister Florence Reese. Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home Tuesday November 26, 2013 from 4:00PM to 7:00PM and one hour prior at the church. Funeral services will be held at 10:30AM Wednesday November 27, 2013 at Aurora Lutheran Church with The Reverend Jonathan Davis officiating. Interment will be in the Aurora Lutheran Cemetery in Havana Township. Visitation: 11/26/2013 16:00 11/26/2013 19:00 Service: 11/27/2013 10:30