Maxwell resident Lund celebrates 97th birthday

Gladise Lund has a storied past that includes more than two decades as a Vaudevillian performer and a valued member of the Maxwell community for longer than that.

Lund turned 97 last month.

Born in Chuquicamata, Chile, South America, on March 5, 1915, she and her parents came to Humboldt County when she was 2.

After high school graduation, she joined a Vaudeville group of four men and herself. She married Herman Lund, one of the group members, and they formed their own group, performing their handbalancing act in the late 1930s and early '40s in the United States and Canada.

In the late '40s, she and her husband owned and operated Lund's Dairy, where they milked their own cows and delivered fresh milk to the people of Maxwell.

The Lunds helped establish the community pool in the early '50s, and later organized a Vaudeville show to raise money to buy band uniforms.

Lund also operated her own dance studio in the '50s, which was located in the Tuesday Club building, next to the high school. She taught for several years and students learned tap, ballet and acrobatics.

From 1960-1968, she had a variety store, located at the Napa Auto Parts building.

She was also known as the "paper lady," employing several local children to help with newspaper deliveries.

Many remember her as the Avon Lady from Maxwell. She went door to door, selling Avon products for more than 40 years, retiring at the age of 88.

She was a member of the Tuesday Club, Rosebud Tea and Stitch & Chatter, raising funds for the community, as well as offering college scholarships. She also was a 4-H sewing leader for several years.

Lund still volunteers and is in charge of the Senior Citizen lunches at the Legion Hall. She arranges entertainment, and sets up and decorates the lunchroom.

She is also an active member of the Maxwell Baptist Church.

Lund has one daughter, Carmen Mason, three granddaughters and eight great-grandchildren.