SACO — Gladys K. (Blad) Hayden, 92, of Saco, died on Good Friday, April 18, 2014, at Seal Rock Nursing Home after a short illness.

She was born on May 24, 1921, in Barre, Vt., to the late Arvid Ingvald Blad from Idd, Norway and Hareide Nelsine Johansen Blad from Brumundalen, Norway. She attended Barre schools and graduated from Spaulding High School, Class of 1939.

She married Andrew E. Hayden from Montpelier, Vt., on Feb. 10, 1940. Moving from Vermont, Gladys and her husband started the A&W Root Beer Stand in South Portland in 1958, and later opened the Dairy Queen restaurant in Saco in 1963 and the Dairy Queen restaurant in Biddeford.

Andrew predeceased Gladys in 1991.

She enjoyed the pleasures of her three children, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her great-great-grandchildren representing five generations in her family. She also loved the quietness of her home, reading her favorite novels, listening to her music and enjoyed some light gardening as well as her quiet moments in contemplative prayer.

Gladys is survived by her three children, Michael Hayden of Eden, Vt., Nancy Hayden Turner of Raymond and Susan Hayden Fogg of Farmington; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her two younger brothers, Arnold Ingvald Blad of North Syracuse, N.Y., and John Arvid Blad formally of Keene, N.H.

Gladys was often referred to as Bestemor, meaning grandmother in Norwegian.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 2, at 1 p.m., at the Dennett Craig & Pate, Funeral Home, 365 Main Street, Saco. The Rev. Merle Steva will officiate. The burial will be at Laurel Hill Cemetery, Saco.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: The Sweetser Home, 50 Moody St., Saco, ME 04072.