Gladys R. Troedel (nee Kolkema), 79, of West Bend, entered Eternal Life on Monday, April 13, 2015 at Kettle Moraine Gardens, Kewaskum.
She was born on August 17, 1935 to the late Joseph and Mable (nee Maaske) Kolkema in West Bend. On June 6, 1959 she was united in marriage to Kenneth Treodel at St. John's church, West Bend. She worked for Pick Manufacturing as a brake shoe inspector for 20 years. Gladys loved gardening and tending to her flowers, sharing plants with others from her garden. She won the Mayor's beautification award for her gardens. She was active at St. John's church with the lady's aid. Gladys and Ken enjoyed going boating and liked to travel. For 15 years they would travel to South Padre Island in Texas for the winter. She enjoyed cooking, especially at the holidays for her family. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, going to their baseball games to watch them play.
She is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Kenneth; two children, James A. Rick and John A. Rick; three step-children, Chris (Michael) Leverance, Kenneth (Diane) Troedel, and James Troedel; one grandchild, Samantha R. Rick; seven step-grandchildren; seven step great-grandchildren; seven sisters, Betty (Eugene) Thelen, Mary Barsch, Donna (Herbert) Timmerman, Joyce (Ken) Endlich, Kathy Bakes, Dorothy (Gary) Kittel, and Sandra (Roger) Mayhew; other relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her son, Steven Rick; and her brother, Joseph Kolkema.
A memorial service in remembrance of Gladys will be held on Friday April 17, 2015 at 1:30 pm at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, 809 S. 6th Ave. West Bend. Burial will follow the service at Washington County Memorial Park. Visitation will be at the church from 11:30 am until the time of service.