Gladys J. Stezenski, age 89 of Shawano, passed away Wednesday evening, August 14, 2019 in Shawano.
She was born October 8, 1929 in the Town of Richmond, a daughter of the late Emil and Ruth (Martens) Gueths. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Jakobi Lutheran Church, Town of Richmond. Gladys graduated from Shawano High School in 1947, and studied various subjects at UWGB to enhance her education. She also took many classes which she found interesting from NWTC. On October 25, 1947, Gladys married Joseph Stezenski at the St. Francis Solanus parsonage in Gresham. Gladys was a good and faithful member of St. James Lutheran Church in Shawano.
She served in many organizations, including the Shawano Lake Ladies Golf Association where she was a past President and Treasurer; past President of Tabitha at St. James; Secretary-Treasurer of the Shawano Women’s Bowling Association; past President of AARP Chapter 186; and as a 4H Leader when her first three children were growing up. Gladys was also Vice President of the Shawano County Nutrition Council; a board member of the Senior Center Commission; a Leader of Board of St. James Outreach; a charter member of the St. James Stephen Ministers and St. James Finance Committee; served on the United Way Board as Treasurer, and headed up the Door to Door Campaign; Corresponding Secretary of Shawano Business & Professional Women’s Association; member of Shawano Medical Center Ladies Auxiliary, Commission of Aging, and Shawano Civic Center Board; and a member of the Navarino Nature Center where she was active in the crane count. In 2006 Gladys was nominated for Shawano County Living Treasurer and Shawano County Senior Citizen of the Year.
Gladys worked part-time at Aronson’s Men’s & Boys Wear, then went to work at Consolidated Badger (Morning Glory/AMPI) for 32 years. Because she loved to work and be active, she went to work at Genex/CRI for over seven years. Gladys truly loved her work. She was an avid fan of the Milwaukee Brewers and the Green Bay Packers, and any golfing events. She herself loved to golf and bowl. Gladys loved to plant trees, flowers, and veggies, just so she could see the progress they made through the years with the Lord’s help. She took up many hobbies in her free time, such as knitting, crocheting, basket weaving, quilting, and lastly, word and jigsaw puzzles.
Survivors include her children, Greg Stezenski, Sue (Jerry Eggert) Fletcher, Deborah (Mark Braun) Stezenski, and Jeff (Sally Huntington) Stezenski; three grandchildren, Rick Stezenski, Shawn Fletcher, and Sara (Shaun) Gartner; four great-grandchildren, Amanda and Emily Stezenski, and Dylan and Benjamin Gartner; as well as several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph, on October 17, 2007, and her brother, Walter (June) Gueths.
A funeral service for Gladys will be held on Monday, August 19, 2019 at 11:00 AM at St. James Lutheran Church in Shawano. Pastor Steve Schauder will officiate. Entombment will be at the Sacred Heart Mausoleum. Visitation will begin on Sunday, August 18, 2019 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Mickelson Funeral Service in Shawano, and will continue Monday morning at the church from 10:00 AM until the time of service. In lieu of flowers and plants, memorials in Gladys’s name are preferred to the Navarino Nature Center and St. James Lutheran School.
Mickelson Funeral & Cremation Service of Shawano is assisting the family with arrangements.
“The family would like to give special thanks to the caring staff at Shawano Health Services and ThedaCare Oncology.”
