- FERRYVILLE Gladys Grace Bergelin, 83, formerly of Ferryville died Saturday morning, March 21, 2009, at Thornton Manor in Lansing, Iowa, where she had been a resident since August 2007.
She was born Oct. 16, 1925, in Calumet County, Wis., to Alfred and Erna (Fierke) Retzlaff. Gladys was baptized Nov. 4, 1925, in Woodville, Wis. On June 9, 1945, she married Armin Bergelin in Forest Junction, Wis. They moved to Ferryville, where in 1946 they purchased the Ferryville Cheese Factory. Together, they operated it until April 1981 when they sold out. The couple also had ownership in the Viroqua Whey Plant and Elm Grove Dairy in Richland Center, Wis., which they also sold in 1981. Gladys was a strong supporter of the Ferryville community, serving with the Ferryville Booster Club, Freeman Lutheran Church and Ferryville Homemakers Club. After their retirement, Gladys and Armin traveled throughout the United States in their motorhome. She was a kind, loving and generous mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who had a keen sense of humor.
Gladys is survived by four daughters, Shirley (Dale) Alton of Ferryville, Sandra (Robert) Seymour of St. Joseph, Mich., Diane (Pastor Ed) Nesselhuf of Burbank, S.D., and Debra (John) Lomas of Ferryville; 16 grandchildren; 13 greatgrandchildren; four stepgrandchildren; six stepgreat-grandchildren; a sister, Betty (LeRoy) Priebe; brother-in-law, Alfred Marzahl; nieces; nephews; other relatives; and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Armin, in 1996; a sister, Violet Marzahl; and brothers, Lloyd, Alfred and Gordon (Emma) Retzlaff.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 26, at Freeman Lutheran Church in rural Ferryville. Officiating at the service will be Pastor Ed Nesselhuf, with burial to follow in the church cemetery. The family will greet relatives and friends at Freeman Lutheran Church on Thursday, March 26, from 11 a.m. until the time of services at 1 p.m.
Thorson-Reetz Funeral Home in Viroqua is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
Online condolences may be offered at www.thorson-reetz.net.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Gladys' name.
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1925 - 2009 (83 years)
Education - High School
