Gladys Lucille (née Wichlacz) Martin, 85, of Marshfield, Wis., passed away peacefully on Aug. 30, 2021. She lived her entire life in Wisconsin. She was born Nov. 28, 1935, in Poniatowski, to Anton and Lucille Wichlacz, and grew up in Athens. She married John “Jack” Martin Oct. 2, 1956, and moved to the family farm in Halder.
Gladys dedicated her life to lifting people up, whether through music, teaching or volunteering.
She was a keyboardist and choir director at St. Patrick’s Church in Halder for nearly four decades, leading music programs for masses, holidays, weddings and funerals. She was an organist at St. Michael’s in Hewitt and Spiritual Services at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield, and she sang with the Heart O’ Wisconsin Chapter of Sweet Adelines.
Gladys and Jack ran Honey Bee Dairy in Halder for 37 years, where she taught her kids how to run a successful household and farm. She also volunteered in her community, teaching and coordinating religious education programs at St. Patrick’s Church, holding leadership roles with the Parish Council of Catholic Women and Parish Pastoral Council. She was an active member of the Emmet Chums Homemakers, coordinator for the Circle of Joy, and a volunteer at St. Vincent De Paul in Marshfield. She also worked as a healthcare provider for Friendship Manor in Marshfield.
Gladys is survived by eight children, Anthony (Jill) of Marshfield; Francis (Vickie) of Marathon; Thomas (Jackie) of Halder; Mary (Kim) Hilliker of Brussels; Paul (Doreen) of Stratford; Bernard (Rita) of Stratford; Catherine (Mike) Lea of Augusta; and Bernice (Matt) Thill, of Minneapolis, Minn.; 16 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; three brothers and sister-in-laws, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack, parents, brother Eugene and his wife Shirley, brother Larry, and numerous in-laws.
Visitation is open to all who wish to celebrate Gladys’ life on Saturday, Sept. 4, from 9:30-11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 136058 Halder Drive, Mosinee, WI 54455. A Celebration of Life and luncheon will take place the same day at 1 p.m. at the Halder Community Pavilion, 135159 Halder Drive. There will be a mass of Christian burial for family only at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, please make check or cash donations in memory of Gladys Martin to St. Vincent De Paul Outreach, 149 North Central Ave., Marshfield, WI 54449. Online donations can be made at stvincentdepaulmarshfield.com. Click on the DONATE section, then scroll to the Outreach/Food Pantry Donation button.
Condolences may be sent online at www.rembsfh.com
Author: News Desk
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