David Gladen

David Gladen, 84, of Brooklyn Park, MN, formerly of St. Paul, went home to the Lord on July 28, 2026. David was born on June 12, 1942, to Silas and Virginia (née Hansen) Gladen and grew up on a family farm in Laporte, MN. Between 1960 and 1966, David served in the Air Force, working in military intelligence. He later earned a degree in Russian from the University of Minnesota, and then worked for most of his career as a machinist. David married Rose Marie Peterson in 1967 and welcomed children Jennie, William, and Dan. Tragically, Rose passed away in 1975. David later married Marla Decker, and they welcomed son Jamin into the family. This past year, David and Marla celebrated 50 years of marriage. David was a longtime member of Church Upon the Rock in Mounds View, including the Gideon's Men Bible study group (with group T-shirts.) In 2000, he proudly participated in a church-planting mission in Krivoy Rog, Ukraine. Over the years, David used his Russian skills to welcome local Ukrainian immigrants, teach English as a Second Language (ESL), and translate a book called "Valeriy Polekh: French Hornist Laureate of All Russia, An Autobiography." David was a soft-spoken, humble man who loved Jesus, treasured sitting by the lake while reminiscing with his siblings, and shared no-nonsense advice like, "Life is a series of priorities." In recent years, he watched his grandchildren graduate from high school and perform in school plays, and enjoyed living in a busy house filled with grandchildren practicing instruments and debating the finer points of many things over seven-person, three-generation dinners. He spent his retirement taking road trips and adventures to scenic places, including an epic RV trip in 2024 to Old Faithful, the Rockies, and best of all, Elena's wedding. David was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Knute, Alfred, and Herbert; sisters-in-law Nancy and Edna; and his first wife, Rose. David is survived by his wife, Marla; children Jennie, William, Dan (Naomi), and Jamin (Sara); grandchildren Elena (Russell), Gwendolyn, Zaria, Xander, and Wesley; brothers Ronald and Richard (Susan); sister Coral Nelson (Charles); sister-in-law Teri; and many nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends. Please join the family to honor and celebrate David. Services will be held Thursday, August 13, 2026, with visitation at 10:00 a.m. and service at 11:00 a.m. at Washburn-McReavy Bloomington Funeral Chapel in Bloomington. Burial will follow at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, with a reception at 2:00 p.m. at Revive Church, 7849 W. Broadway, Brooklyn Park. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to True Hope Ministryin St. Michael, MN (an organization that supports Ukrainian orphans) or another charity of your choice.

David Gladen

June 12, 1942 - July 28, 2026

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