Gladys Ella (Rowley) Bortel, age 90, of Mitchell, SD went home to be with the Lord, Saturday, August 11, 2012 at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at Mitchell First United Methodist Church with burial at Hillcrest Cemetery in Ethan, SD. Visitation will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Tuesday, August 14, 2012 at the Will Funeral Chapel. Gladys Rowley, daughter of Leo and Nettie (Leake) Rowley, was born April 13, 1922 in Davison County, SD. She lived her entire life in the Mitchell area. She attended Grant Elementary School in Perry Township and graduated from Mitchell High School in 1940 and from Methodist School of Nursing in 1943. Gladys was united in marriage with Harry V. Bortel on February 23, 1944 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The couple farmed near Ethan until his death in 1959. Gladys later moved to Mitchell where she worked at Methodist Hospital for 25 years in various nursing positions, the last 7 years as Director of Nursing. She was a foster mother to 10 children in the 1960's and in 1983 she was listed in " Who's Who in American Women". Gladys was a member of First United Methodist Church where she enjoyed working and fellowship. Her interest was in missions, quilting and Bible study at the church. Grateful for having shared her life are her two daughters, Betty Lou (Kent) Griffith, St. John, KS, Linda Kaye (William) Shaneyfelt, Dayton, OH; nine grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; one sister, Virginia Giokaris, Sedalia, MO. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry; her parents; a sister, Lulu; and a brother, Lloyd.