Trusting in her Savior Jesus Christ for her salvation and eagerly anticipating the joy of heaven that awaited her, Gladys Ann Zamzow, 77, Merrill, left this world with her family at her side on December 25, 2015, after a 12-year struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease, at Woodland Court Assisted Living in Merrill, Wisconsin.
Gladys was born September 16, 1938, in Merrill to Leo and Louise (Duwe) Krueger. God gave Gladys rebirth on October 2, 1938 at her baptism. She received her education at Park and Monroe Grade Schools and was a 1957 graduate of Wausau High School. Gladys married DuWayne Zamzow on June 10, 1961, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Town of Berlin. She became a member of St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church (WELS), Naugart, in the Town of Berlin where she also taught Sunday School, sang in the church choir and was a member of the Ladies Aid Society.
Gladys and DuWayne owned and operated the Zamzow Homestead Dairy Farm in the Town of Berlin. Gladys also worked as a stenographer at American Can Corporation and as a secretary for Manpower. When they were blessed with two daughters, Brenda and Amy, she proudly became a “stay-at-home” mom and later volunteered as a teacher’s aide at Berlin Elementary School. In 1969, Gladys began her 35-year career as secretary at Maple Grove Elementary School, a part of the Merrill Area Public Schools (MAPS). She thoroughly loved her job and was adored by the students as well as her fellow staff members. She chaired their 90th Anniversary Celebration in 1994 and was awarded the MAPS Secretary Support Person of the Year, before retiring in 2004. Gladys did substitute secretarial work for MAPS and volunteer work at Wausau’s Aspirus Hospital after her retirement. She also served her church synod, WELS Special Ministries, by correcting tests of prison inmates. And one of her greatest joys, until she was no longer able, was caring for her granddaughter, Mya.
Gladys was a charter member of the Mixmaster’s Homemakers Club, enjoyed playing Sheepshead with dear friends in two card clubs, delighted in dancing with her husband with the Holzhacker Tanzer and Pommerscher Danz Gruppe German dance groups, and was granted Lifetime Membership with the Berlin-Hamburg Lions Club after serving many years as a volunteer. She was a charter member of the Pommerscher Verein of Central Wisconsin (PVCW) and had fond memories of performing in the Von Steuben parades in New York City and Philadelphia. She sang with the Pommersche Sangerchor and enjoyed doing presentations of her Pomeranian ancestral customs, foods, traditions and history. She and her husband proudly restored their 1881 home filling it with multiple collections which included antiques especially East Lake furniture, Hummels from their many travels to Germany, her treasured books, and her beloved teddy bears.
Gladys’ love of travel took her and DuWayne to most of the United States including Alaska, Hawaii and many trips to California; Europe on multiple occasions including a special heritage tour to her family’s origins in former Pomerania, Germany (now Poland); and to Africa, Greece, and Turkey. Her passion for ballroom dancing took her to Austria, Florida and Eau Claire to participate in Viennese Balls, and she also enjoyed dancing to “old-time” polkas, waltzes and her favorite, the Schottische.
What friends and family will most fondly remember about Gladys was her steadfast Christian faith, her devotion to her family, her passion for a fun-loving life, her soft spot for children and animals, and, of course, her contagious laughter!
Survivors include her loving husband of 54 years, DuWayne Zamzow of Merrill; her daughters, Brenda Zamzow of Los Angeles, CA, and Amy (David) Williamson of Marshfield; one grandchild, Mya Claire Williamson; one step-grandchild Kurra Frazier of Burbank, CA; one brother-in-law Donald (LouAnn) Zamzow of Schofield; one sister-in-law Judith (Roger) Tepe of Boston, MA; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Roger.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 2, 2016 at St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Naugart, 11329 Berlin Lane, Athens, in the Town of Berlin. Pastor Nathan Biebert will officiate. Friends may call on January 1, 2016 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Taylor & Stine Funeral Home, 903 E. 3rd St., Merrill, and at the church from 10:00 a.m. until time of services. Burial will be in St. Paul’s – Naugart Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Mark Bartelt, Robert Duwe, Robert Gruling, Thomas Kriehn, Eugene Woller and Robert Zimmerman. Honorary Pallbearers include members of the Pommerscher Danz Gruppe, Holzhacker Tanzer and Mixmaster Homemaker’s Club.
Special recognition is extended to the wonderful staff of Ministry Home Care Hospice and to all the caregivers at Woodland Court Assisted Living for their excellent care and compassion for nearly four years.
Memorials may be directed to the St. Paul’s – Naugart, the Pommersche Verein of Central Wisconsin Endowment Fund, and the Alzheimer’s Association.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com