Gladys A. Woltring, nee Pergande, 89, of the Town of Cedarburg, was called home to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday March 2, 2013.
Gladys was born September 18, 1923 in Cedarburg to the late Henry and Anna (nee Schneider) Pergande. She was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Cedarburg, and graduated from Cedarburg High School in 1941. On June 21, 1947, she was united in marriage to Harold E. Woltring of Grafton at Immanuel Lutheran.
Gladys and Harold resided on Hamilton Road in Cedarburg for many years, and then built a new home on the corner of Thornapple Lane and Keup Road, Town of Cedarburg, where they have remained.
As a girl, Gladys was active in her church's Luther League, and was a catcher for the city of Cedarburg's Girl's baseball team, which her father coached. Gladys always demonstrated a great love for life and was not afraid of a new adventure. As a young woman during World War II, she travelled with a friend, from Cedarburg to Elcho, WI and back, on a Cushman Scooter. One of the highlights of her life was a five week camping vacation out West in 1966. She and Harold travelled with their children in a station wagon pulling a pop-up camper. She also greatly enjoyed several trips to Hawaii, and forming new friendships while camping Up North.
After her marriage to Harold, their family grew quickly. She was blessed with four daughters and two sons, who remained the joy of her life to the end. She enjoyed many activities, including flower and vegetable gardening, cooking, baking and canning, camping, card playing, watching the Packers, feeding and watching her birds, bingo, and family parties. Through the years, she also enjoyed the companionship of many wonderful dogs. Eventually she became the doting grandmother of eleven grandchildren (seven grandsons and four granddaughters). In 2012 she became a great grandmother.
Gladys will always be remembered for her loving heart. She was a selfless mother and friend, who always put the needs and concerns of others ahead of herself, even until hours before her passing. Gladys embodied the true definition of "Mother". She loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who sustained her through many difficult health problems, and she passed those beliefs and values on to her children and grandchildren.
Gladys is survived by her husband, Harold; six children, Lynne Woltring, Cedarburg; Jane Soulier, Cedarburg; Judy Woltring, Greendale; Dale (Anne) Woltring, Germantown; Thomas (Julie) Woltring, West Bend,and Diane (Dale) Engel, Cedarburg; eleven grandchildren, Nicholas Woltring, Carolyn Averill, Brian Averill, Catherine Averill, Cassandra (Brent)Thiel, Stephen Woltring, Mitchell (Sarah) Woltring, Thaddeus (Kayleigh) Woltring, Bridget Woltring, Thomas Engel, and Bryce Engel; one great-grandson, Jack Woltring; one sister-in-law, Lillian Pergande (wife of the late Wallace Pergande).
She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry & Anna Pergande; her parents-in-law, John & Martha Woltring; four brothers and three of their wives, Elroy (Isolde)Pergande, Harold (Virginia) Pergande, Henry (Elaine) Pergande, and Wallace Pergande; one brother-in-law and his wife, Elroy (Margaret) Woltring; two sisters-in-law and their husbands, Anita (Leonard) Fellenz, and Ardell Schmit - O'Sullivan (James Schmit).
Funeral services in remembrance of Gladys will be held on Monday March 4, 2013, at Grace Lutheran Church, 715 6th Avenue, Grafton, WI 53024. Visitation will be from 3:00pm - 6:00 PM; with a service starting at 6:30 PM. Pastor Paul Bulgerin will officiate. Interment will be on Tuesday March 5, 2013 at the Immanuel Cemetery, City of Cedarburg at 10:00 am.
Memorials to Grace Lutheran Church, Ozaukee Humane Society, or Concordia University Wisconsin for the School of Nursing Scholarship Fund are appreciated.
The family would like to thank the Doctors, Nurses, and Staff of the Lasata Care Center, Cedarburg, Columbia St. Mary's Hospital, Mequon, and Horizon Hospice, Mequon.