Obituary of Gladys Stolz

Gladys Josephine Stolz was born on January 26, 1933. She departed this world on May 2, 2016 at the age of 83, after a prolonged illness and stay at Grace Manor Care Center in Burlington, Colorado. Gladys was the daughter of William (Bill) and Hulda Ziegler. Her parents and siblings (Reuben Ziegler, Ella Pearson, Leona Weisshaar, and Narieta Hines) all preceded her in death. Gladys married William Frank (Bud) Stolz on March 23, 1952 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, north of Bethune, Colorado in the midst of a historic snow storm which has been talked about throughout the generations. This union was blessed with three children: Darwin (Dog) Reuben, Bridget Marie, and Sidney William. Bud died on February 25, 2007 after 54 years of marriage. Gladys was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and cousin. She enjoyed spending time with her friends and family, and loved taking care of her grandkids including Carrie Weisshaar. She was very involved in Immanuel Lutheran Church until her death. She was a regular Sunday School teacher, church pianist, Ladies Aid member, synod representative and always sat in the same pew with her sister, Leona, and their husbands. She loved gardening and canning, especially making her famous dill pickles. She also enjoyed cooking German food, especially strudels and bierocks. She loved playing all games but especially Yahtzee with her sister-in-law Blanche Beckstrom. In addition Gladys enjoyed working with her sister, Leona, at the Ben Franklin store for John and Joan Swick, where the made annual Easter Baskets and marked all of the merchandise. Those left to cherish Gladys’ memory are her son, Darwin and his wife Katherine of Burlington, Colorado; daughter Bridget Patrick, and her husband Tim of Aurora, Colorado, and son Sidney of Washington, D.C. She leaves five grandchildren: Chris Patrick (Lake Elsinore, CA), Bryan Stolz (Washington, DC), Justin Stolz (Washington, DC), Brandi Patrick (Aurora, CO), and Mack Patrick (Dubuque, IA). Gladys is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and very special friends.