Gladys Eileen Margetta was peacefully called home on Monday, May 25th, 2026, at Mount View Care Center in Wausau, Wisconsin. She was born February 10, 1924, to the late August and Brita Johnson of Bessemer, Michigan. Gladys was one of eight children raised on a 38-acre family farm on Johnson Rd. in Bessemer, Michigan. She grew up in the home that her father built. When Gladys was three years old her mother, Brita, died and her father remarried Linda Johnson. Linda helped raise Gladys and her siblings, teaching them many skills including a skill that would stay with Gladys her entire life, sewing. Gladys would often reminisce about her happy childhood and what fun she had with her brothers and sisters.

In 1938, during the great depression, Gladys met Bob (Robert) Margetta while ice skating with her sister Aggie. Bob and his friend, Tom Korpi, walked Gladys and Aggie home and, following that chance meeting, Gladys and Bob dated for several years.

In 1942 Gladys worked at the Kellogg’s company in Battle Creek Michigan. This was the same year that Bob was drafted into the Armed Forces. The war needed K- Rations and Gladys’ job on the assembly line was to fill a 5 x 8 box with canned meat, two packages of crackers, matches and 4 cigarettes. Before Bob could leave for training camp, he had one thing to do, and that was to ask Gladys to marry him. Bob and Gladys eloped in a courthouse ceremony on October 13, 1942, in Battle Creek, Michigan. Along with their two witnesses, they celebrated with one of the first Sara Lee cakes ever made as their wedding cake. Gladys’ dad, August, approved of her marriage to Bob and their honeymoon was spent on their family farm.

Gladys was very devoted to her husband and followed him across the country before he was shipped overseas. After training at Camp McCoy was complete, they moved to Central Point, Oregon. The day Bob left for the war was the same day their daughter, Jeanie Marie, was born. The year was 1944. After Bob left to serve our country, Gladys moved back home to live with her sister Aggie, who helped raise Jeanie until Bob returned home on September 19th, 1945. Gladys and Jeanie were waiting at the train station when he returned and together, they started their life in Bessemer, Michigan. On September 3rd, 1946, they welcomed a son, James Michael. Gladys and Bob built their very own home on Lake Road in Ironwood Michigan in 1954. It was there they enjoyed decades of family memories.

For many years Gladys worked as a waitress at Korpi’s Cafe in Ironwood, Michigan, the restaurant owned by her sister Aggie and brother-in-law, Tom Korpi. She was a hard worker, and her family remembers visiting her often at the restaurant.

Gladys was so proud of her husband, his service in WWII and his work ethic. We find it very fitting she was called home on Memorial Day. Gladys and Bob were deeply in love and set a wonderful example for their families. They were blessed with 53 wonderful years of marriage. After Bob’s passing in 1995, Gladys moved to Schofield, Wisconsin, to be closer to family.

Gladys loved teaching her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great- great grandchildren how to play cards, cook, bake and sew. She will forever be remembered for her cardamon biscuit and pasties. She was an affable hostess, the coffee was always ready, the kitchen table set with tasty goodies and the conversation always warm and friendly. She loved to watch cooking and home decorating shows on TV and rearrange her furniture. It was not unusual to visit her one week and the following week her apartment would be arranged completely different. She enjoyed watching the Packers, Brewers and many golf tournaments. She would lend a hand to whoever needed it or offer words of wisdom about life if you asked. Her life was simple but very richly blessed because of her love for her family.

Gladys was an independent woman, a “tough ole’ gal” as she was affectionately called by her son-in-law, Don, and lived on her own until the age of 99. In her final years she spent quiet days at Mt. View Care Center. She enjoyed the beautiful view over Lake Wausau and would often comment about the birds that would fly by. Despite her eyesight and hearing challenges, she remained kind and cheerful offering to hold your hand or give a hug and sweet smile to all who cared for her. She was truly our GEM.

Gladys is survived by her son, James (Johanna) Margetta of Appleton, Wisconsin, and their family: grandsons Robert John (Gina) Margetta of Appleton, and James Mathew (Jill) Margetta of Marinette; greatgrandchildren Janelle (Josh) Bestul, Korey (Nicholas) Kolz, Jakob Margetta, and Jenna Margetta; and great-great-granddaughter Liliana Kolz.

She is further survived by her son-in-law, Don Aspinwall of Schofield, Wisconsin, and the families of Don and his late wife, Jeanie. This includes granddaughter Gretchen (Lee) Kluz of Ringle, granddaughter Sarah (Kent) Kwick of Kronenwetter and granddaughter Amy (Steve) Zondlo ( Schofield ); great-grandchildren Brittany (Nic) Lotzer, Paige (Steven) Button, and Hope (Mike) Rebman, Jordan Kwick, McKenzie ( Jordan ) Baltz, Brandon Kwick and Jack Zondlo ; great-great-grandchildren Gavin, Emmett, Finnley Lotzer, August Button, Peter and Penelope Rebman and Tennessee Jean Baltz.

Gladys was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert (Bob) Margetta (1995); her cherished daughter, Jeanie Marie Aspinwall (2011); and her seven siblings, Elsie Berg, Ada Holla, Jennie Jacobson, Eaner Johnson, Clarence Johnson, Agnes Korpi, and Kathleen Lanctoe.

A private family service will be held at Hillcrest Cemetery in Bessemer, Michigan at a later date.

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;'” – John 11:25