Gladys Josephine Gatzke

TRAVERSE CITY — Gladys Josephine (Maslowski) Gatzke, 95, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully with family at her side, on January 4, 2017. Gladys was born June 7, 1921, in Cedar, to the late Joseph and Mary Maslowski. Gladys grew up in Cedar, with eight siblings. She married the love of her life and best friend, Benon B. Gatzke at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Isadore on Nov. 16, 1940. Together they raised two wonderful children, David Gatzke and Marie LaBonte. Ben & Gladys ran Ben's Bar, now Mode's Bum Steer, for 29 years. Upon selling the restaurant, Gladys went to work for Michigan Bell and retired 15 years later. She had a strong faith and was a prayer-warrior. Many family members and friends were blessed by her constant prayers. She was a long time member of St. Francis Catholic Church and modeled her faith to all who knew her. She enjoyed polka music, cooking for her family and friends and Tigers Baseball. She enjoyed playing Euchre - and was quite good at it. Her sweet smile was a good distraction for her sly card playing skills. Ben and Gladys spent many summers traveling with their grandchildren and spending time with their great-grandchildren. They spent 70 precious years together, laughing, traveling, and celebrating life. Her kind heart, patience, and gift for making each of her grand children feel like they were the 'favorite' will be dearly missed.

Surviving Gladys are her daughter, Marie LaBonte; granddaughter, Lori VanAntwerp; grandsons, Scott (Kerry) LaBonte and Chad LaBonte; and great-grandchildren, Elle, Zach, Sophia, Austin, Erik, Hailey and Ali. Gladys was preceded in death by her husband, Benon Gatzke; son, David Gatzke, son-in-law, David LaBonte, 3 siblings and 3 sibling-in-laws.

There will be a celebration of Glady's life on Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at the St. Francis Catholic Church, with a rosary service at 9:30 am, followed by visitation at 10:00 am and a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am with Fr. Kenneth Stachnik officiating. Burial will take place at the Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens in the Spring. Memorial contributions may be directed to Munson Hospice, 450 Brook St, Traverse City, MI 49684, Carmelite Monastery, 3501 Silver Lake Road, Traverse City, MI 49684, and St. Francis Catholic Church Building Fund, 1025 S Union St, Traverse City, MI 49684.