Gladys Hoyt, age 92, of McHenry, ND, passed away peacefully January 7, 2025 at The Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd in New Rockford, ND.

Gladys Elaine Grafsgaard was born to Henry and Bertha (Odland) Grafsgaard on July 18, 1932 in the McHenry area. She attended grades 1-8 at the Paradise #4 country school. She completed her high school education at McHenry High School graduating in 1949.

After high school, Gladys attended Valley City State College where she earned her teaching certificate. She taught in small country schools for a couple of years. She married Duwayne Hoyt on January 6, 1951. They began their life together and experienced many adventures beginning with traveling on the road while Duwayne hauled gravel. Gladys became a mother and homemaker. In 1955, they began their lifelong dream of purchasing land and farming in the McHenry area.

Gladys was a very loving and talented mother. She always put her husband and children’s needs first. She was a wonderful cook, gardener, nurse, and seamstress. She was a faithful member of her church, holding several positions on the church council and ladies’ aid. She supported her children’s activities in Sunday school, band, and sports activities. She was a member of the McHenry Ambulance for 25+ years. She helped with the farming business, hauled grain, and helped assemble grain bins. She managed the finances of the household and business. She enjoyed playing pinochle, bingo, old time music, and spending time with family and friends. She enjoyed casinos and traveling to Las Vegas during the cold winter months.

Gladys is survived by her 6 children: Rita (Mike) Balvitsch; Barbara Pound; Arlyn Hoyt (Sue Bakko); Melody (Doug) Skadberg; Leslie (Paulette) Hoyt; Cindy Risk (Randy Fugl). A sister, Alice Stromsodt; sisters-in-law, Jeanne Hoyt and Sheila Hoyt; brothers-in-law, Edgar (Janice) Hoyt and Arnold Haugland. She had 12 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. She also had several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and her siblings: Harris (Lily) Grafsgaard, Ernest (Birdie) Grafsgaard, Stanley Grafsgaard, and Burton (Jean) Grafsgaard and a brother-in-law, Sherman Stromsodt.

The family requests memorials be given to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church or Bethlehem Cemetery, McHenry, ND.

 

Gladys’ Visitation will be held Saturday, January 11, 2025 from 1:00PM – 2:00 PM followed by a Funeral Service at 2:00PM all at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, McHenry, ND.

Her Burial will be at the Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery, McHenry, ND.