Debra Sue Gluesing, aged 79, died at home on September 6th, ending her struggle with dementia, as a beautiful fall rain rolled across Rush Lake. Debbie was born on Sept 20th, 1947 in Alexandria, MN, to Mable and Eugene Gluesing, the middle of five daughters. She and her sisters grew up in Roseville, joining a generation of babyboomers rushing unready into the adventures of their age. 

Any reflection on Deb must include these words: Genuine, persistent, a passionate entrepreneurial spirit, and a personal desire for success and financial independence and a life that always included family. She was shaped by her mentor in dance, Margaraet Dietz, and in theater by Lynn Wright, when Dance at the U of MN was in the Phy Ed Dept. She started her entrepreneurial career in the early 70s, winning contracts for her drapes business all over St Paul and Mpls. She then set business aside to follow her passion for theater with an MA at U of Arizona in Tempe, followed by a short career in Hollywood. Having met Tom and his dog Hoper, outside Ralph and Jerry’s in Dinky Town, the two decided to move up to the Perham area with nothing particular in mind. Before starting her life ‘up north,’ she and her sister Laurie co-founded Gluesing and Gluesing marketing. Their show room at the Mpls Gift Mart blossomed in many directions. Debbie and Laurie authored cookbooks, “From Minnesota with Love” (still in circulation). They brought their sales organization into national markets, traveling to LA, Chicago, Dallas, etc. And as road reps for their manufacturers, they traveled many miles selling to retail Gift Stores of all sizes. Deb was/is a respected business leader and will be remembered for her sweet negotiation tactics, calm and gentle demeanor and furious pursuit for success.

When Debbie and Tom came to Perham, there was only one Gift Store. Debbie, with the help of many of you, rented the old Schmitz Ford building on Main street and, battling decades of Gas and Oil smells, opened a consignment gift store. She, with Tom, opened Grass Roots and eventually moved to their present location on Rush Lake. Her son Andy/Ted and daughter Katie were born and in the early years they traveled with her to her accounts throughout Minnesota. Debbie added to her businesses as she worked with a new Nelson enterprise called Kenny’s Candy and with the support of the staff worked out the problems of extruding Candy shapes that helped Debbie start Heartland Candy. Debbie knew that in business you win some and you lose some. 

Debbie grew deep roots in our lakes area after she purchased the properties on Rush Lake that were to become our home and the site of many Grass Roots businesses. Debbie would say to you: Thanks for being our friends and customers. 

Debbie’s story continues: The Memorial Event for Debbie will be at the Grass Roots site in Ottertail on October 3rd from 2-5 p.m. Check our Grass Roots Facebook for more information. Debbie would say: “let’s have a Party!” Thank You for your years of Friendship, in particular over the last years of her struggle with Dementia. Special thanks to our Local at Home Hospice and the staff at Vivi. Debbie is survived by Tom, her Husband/Partner, and her two children, Andy/Ted and Katie, Grandchildren Parker and Madison, sisters Jeemer, Gigi and Wendy and the crowds of friends and customers she touched during her life.