Gladys Wilhelmine Raab, 97 years of age, passed on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022 at Oak Park Place Assisted Living in Madison, Wis.
Gladys was born on April 20, 1925 to Nels P. Anderson and Elsbeth E. (nee Trampe) Anderson in Catawba, Wis. She was raised in Catawba and graduated from Phillips High School in Phillips, Wis. Gladys married Henry Raab in 1946, and their family moved to Tomahawk in 1958. Gladys was active in many volunteer activities in Tomahawk, including serving as Treasurer for Grace Lutheran Church Ladies’ Aid, Red Cross Volunteers, and Women’s Civic Club organizations, and as Secretary of The Red Vest Club.
Gladys enjoyed cooking, gardening, dancing, traveling, listening to music, walking the trails in Bradley Park and the River Walk, and any activity that would allow her to socialize with her friends. She also enjoyed hosting friends of her children, many of which would stop by to visit her when they grew to be adults. Most of all Gladys enjoyed being with her family, whether at gatherings at her home in Tomahawk, her apartment in Madison, or at the homes of her children and grandchildren. She created many lasting memories when she hosted Grandma Camp (highlighted by “Grandkid bars”), and when she traveled to help out when grandchildren were born.
Gladys is survived by her three sons: Gaylin (Linda), Apple Valley, Minn.; Merlin (Janice), Green Bay; and Dennis (Vicky), Chagrin Falls, Ohio. She is also survived by nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Henry, her daughter Marilyn, and her brothers Alvero, Hans, Irvin, and Quinten.
In accordance with Gladys’ wishes, her life will be celebrated privately by her family at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Gladys’ name be made to the Agrace Care for All Fund (Agrace.org) that funds hospice services for families that cannot afford them.
Cress Funeral & Cremation Service, 3325 E. Washington Ave., Madison, Wis. 608-249-6666. Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com.