Gladys J. Fitzpatrick's Obituary
Gladys J. Fitzpatrick, age 99 of Dousman, WI (formerly of rural Greenup, IL and Spring Hill, FL), was called home by God on July 1, 2024.
Gladys was born on October 15, 1924 in rural Noble, IL, the daughter of James E. and Grace (Newlin) Diel. She married Bruce L. Fitzpatrick on June 10, 1946 in Charleston, IL. He preceded her in death on April 22, 2005. They were blessed with one son, Carl G. Fitzpatrick.
Gladys was a graduate of Eastern Illinois Teachers College, earning a Bachelor 's degree in Education. She was proud to follow the Diel family legacy of teachers beginning with her dad and then with all her seven siblings graduating from Eastern with teaching degrees. Gladys began her teaching career at Haddock School, a rural one-room school. She then taught at grade schools in Greenup and Casey, IL for 32 years. When Gladys and her husband retired from farming in 1979 and moved to Florida, she then extended her teaching career at the Methodist School Center in Brooksville, FL where she taught for 14 years. She always said that she loved to teach little children in kindergarten and 1st grade, especially to read.
Farming was also a very important part of Gladys' life. She was born and raised on her parents' farm. For 11 summers, she stayed at her Grandma and Grandpa Diel's farm and helped with summer chores. Here she learned many important skills that would last her lifetime. She worked hard but had many fond memories of these summers spent with them.
After Gladys and Bruce were married, they bought his parents' farm. There they raised many farm animals and grew crops. Gladys always had a flock of chickens for eggs and meat. She had an extensive vegetable garden and preserved produce every year to last the winter. She also had beautiful rose bushes! It was a hard but very satisfying way of life.
When Gladys and Bruce moved to Florida, she had a variety of beautiful flowers and plants, but was most proud of the lemon tree which produced dozens of lemons each year and of the pineapples she was able to grow in the lanai.
When her husband Bruce died in 2005, Gladys moved to the Illinois Masonic home in Sullivan, IL. She enjoyed the rural setting and often walked outside. She was able to explore her artistic nature and enjoyed ceramics and other crafts. She sold many of her craft projects in the gift shop there, where she volunteered. She finally had time to enjoy her love of reading and learned to use a computer for writing letters and playing games.
In 2008, Gladys moved to Three Pillars Retirement Communities in Dousman, WI. She very much enjoyed the beautiful campus taking many walks through the woods where she loved to watch animals and appreciate the flowers and trees. She participated in numerous activities such as volunteering in the gift shop, taking care of library books, participating in the food committee, etc. She further developed her artistic side by taking painting classes and taking part in as many craft sessions as she could. She always had a project going such as making pillowcase dolls, needlework, painting, etc. And, she read so many books that she learned to use a Kindle reader so that she would have a supply of reading material. She enjoyed life to the fullest, trying to attend as many activities as possible.
Gladys is survived by her son Carl and daughter-in-law Sue of Rockton, IL; her granddaughter Sarah of Rockton, IL; her grandson Andrew and his wife Lesta of St. Charles, MO; brother-in-law, Verne Bear of Marshall, IL; and many nieces and nephews.
Gladys was preceded in death by her parents, husband, infant brothers Claud, James, and Harry, brother Joseph (Joann) Diel, and sisters Esther (Walter) Wells, Mary Margaret (Floyd) Knackmuhs, Sylvia (Gene) Moore, Nell (Charles) Ambers, Audra (Burton) Shan, and Marilyn Bear.
The family would like to thank the staff at Three Pillars and Allay Hospice for their loving care. Gladys appreciated and loved you all.
A funeral service for Gladys will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 13, 2024 at Markwell Funeral Home, 200 N. Central Ave., Casey, IL with a visitation beginning at 10:00 AM. Private interment will be at Fairview Cemetery, Kansas, IL.
Memorials to Three Pillars Senior Living Communities, Development Department, 375 State Road 67, Dousman, WI 53118 or by visiting www.ThreePillars.org
To view the full obituary, send a condolence message; light a candle, or post photos, visit www.markwellfuneralhome.com. Markwell Funeral Home of Casey, IL is in charge of the arrangements.
What’s your fondest memory of Gladys?
What’s a lesson you learned from Gladys?
Share a story where Gladys' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Gladys you’ll never forget.
How did Gladys make you smile?