Gladys M. (Zirbes) Steinhofer, age 89, of Glenwood died Friday, April 8, 2016 at the Glenwood Village Care Center in Glenwood, MN surrounded by her family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, April 13 at 11:00 A.M. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Glenwood, with Fr. Joe Vandeberg officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church the day of the service. Interment will be in St. Paul's Catholic Cemetery in Sauk Centre, Minnesota. Arrangements are with the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood.

Margaret Gladys Zirbes was born on December 25 ^th , 1926 in Lake George Township, Stearns County, Minnesota, to Ambrose and Bernadine (Deters) Zirbes. She grew up in that area and in Greenwald where she went to school through the 8 ^th grade.  After school, she worked at the telephone office.

On April 10 ^th 1945, Gladys was united in marriage to John Peter Steinhofer Sr. at Immaculate Conception Church in New Munch, MN. To this union, 12 children were born and one miscarriage of a baby boy.

John was employed as a union bricklayer for 62 years and the nature of his work made it necessary for the family to relocate from time to time.  They enjoyed many different homes and towns over the years including Greenwald, New Munich, Maple Lake, St. Cloud, and Grove Lake. They loved lake life and lived on Grove Lake two different times. The pair also really enjoyed living in Silver Bay, MN when John's job took them there.  They often spoke of the fun times they'd had during those years smelting, blueberry picking, and watching the bears at the dump.  Grove Lake was their last home prior to moving into the nursing home in 2010.

Gladys enjoyed her children so much she made them her hobby. She was a great baker, making wonderful pies, cakes, bread dough donuts, and homemade bread, which she made 12 loaves at a time twice a week. She made a stuffing for the holidays that everyone enjoyed, especially her granddaughter, Kelly. She always had a huge vegetable garden and canned the produce she harvested. Her family recalls that they never knew what junk food was until Banquet chicken came out in the stores. From that time forward when Gladys felt she deserved a break from cooking from scratch she would serve Banquet chicken. She also had flowers beds everywhere, including in an old toilet outside next to the outhouse.

Gladys is survived by her children; sons: John Steinhofer Jr. of Grove Lake, Tim Steinhofer (special friend Cindy) of Brooten, David Steinhofer of Sedan, Donald (Stefanie) Steinhofer of Brooten,  Jim Steinhofer of Brooten, and Chad Steinhofer of Glenwood; daughters: Darlene Fadness of Sedan, Janice (Alan) Karasch of St. Cloud, Kathy (David) Van Vickle of Glenwood, and LaDonna Steinhofer of Glenwood; 43 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren; dear sisters, Shirley Steinhofer of New Munich and Jean Fuchs of Melrose; a sister-in-law, Karen Zirbes; nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ambrose and Bernadine Zirbes; her husband, John Peter Steinhofer Sr. in 2012; beloved sons, Daniel Steinhofer and Peter Steinhofer; a son-in-law, Dale Fadness; and brother, Roger Zirbes.