Gladys Marie Lamal

In Loving Memory of Gladys M. Lamal

On this day, August 31, 2025, we say goodbye to our 105 year-old loving mother, grandmother, our best friend, and our confidant.

Gladys was born in the Town of Humboldt on June 13, 1920, to the late Edward and Frances (Lathauer) Horkman. She met the love of her life, Alvin J. Lamal, at the Bluestone Dance Hall. They were united in marriage on May 25, 1938, at Holy Martyrs of Gorcum Church in Humboldt, Wisconsin, and celebrated sixty years together until Dad’s passing on October 21, 1998.

Together, they farmed the Lamal family dairy farm on Finger Road in the Town of Humboldt for many years, where she soon learned the ways of farm life. She and her mother-in-law, Pauline Lamal, spent many hours together baking breads, pies, cakes, and cookies on the wood stove, as well as canning fruits and vegetables they harvested from their garden and orchard, while she still found time to work in the barn and fields. After selling the farm, they built a new home nearby on Finger Road. During that time, Dad worked for Procter & Gamble, and Mom worked at Sears, Roebuck & Co. as a salesclerk in the Women’s Department.

After retiring, they moved to Crooked Lake in Northern Wisconsin, where they enjoyed the peace of the Northwoods and the company of many friends and where family enjoyed gathering. Fifteen years later, they returned to the Town of Bellevue to be closer to their children and grandchildren. There, they shared many joyful moments; playing card games with family and friends, celebrating birthdays, weddings, holidays, welcoming new grandchildren, and watching Packers games together.

Gladys had a deep love for hand embroidery, creating beautiful pillowcases and dish towels that she gifted to her children and grandchildren each Christmas-gifts cherished by all.

She found relaxation in reading newspapers and countless books, carefully recording each one in her little notebook, complete with the author, title, and whether or not it was a good read. She also recorded football games in three separate notebooks, noting the date, teams, and final scores. Later in life, she became an avid baseball fan and followed the Brewers with great enthusiasm.

Gladys is survived by her loving children: Pat (Larry) Mahlik, Mary Martzke, Ryan (Linda) Lamal, and Chris (Tony) Vanden Langenberg. 13 grandchildren: Bruce Mahlik, Wendy (Bruce) Mommaerts, Laurie Scheld (fiance' Steve Denissen), Angie (Ron) Rea, Kim (Daryl) Bjorge, Kay (Bob) Bloomer, Kelly Martzke, Jodi Roberts, Becky Lamal, Kevin (Heather) Lamal, Carrie (Dave) Mileski, Denise (Jason) Seiter, and David (Angela) Vanden Langenberg. She is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death and is now joined in eternal rest with her husband, Alvin; son, Harold "Butchie" Lamal; sister, Marie Horkman; brother, Edwin Horkman; father-and mother-in-law, Charles and Pauline Lamal; son-in-law, Frederick (Butch) Martzke; half-brother, Tony Horkman and his wife Dorothy Piontek; grandson-in-law, Thomas Scheld; grandson, Troy Lamal; four infant grandchildren-angels Joseph Mahlik, Gary Lamal, Joseph Vanden Langenberg, and Dale Vanden Langenberg; and a great-grandchild angel, Caitlyn Vanden Langenberg; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Lorraine (Lamal) and Ervin DeGrave, Robert and Donna (Hucek) Lamal, Hubert Lamal, Marie (Lamal) and Donald DeGrave, and Anna (Lamal) and Art Kimps.

Gladys' family was the light of her life.

From Mom’s Heart:

I have been very blessed to have such a great family. I am so grateful for the help I received from my children and grandchildren, which allowed me to stay in my home. I love you all dearly. I also want to give many thanks to my wonderful neighbors for all their help and friendship.

Today, the one who always listened, who loved her family with all her heart, who never sought to hurt anyone, and who faithfully prayed her rosary for others, is now home with Jesus. While our hearts ache in her absence, we are comforted knowing we were truly blessed to have shared so many precious years with our mom. Her love will forever guide us, and we will carry her memory in our hearts always. Now, she is reunited with Dad, the love of her life.

The family is grateful to Moments Hospice for their compassionate care and kindness they provided to Mom in her home in her final days.

A Visitation will be held from 9:30 until 11 AM on Monday, September 8, 2025 at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Parish, 2270 S Oneida St, Green Bay, WI 54304. Mass of Christian Burial will follow the visitation at 11 AM at the church. Entombment at Allouez Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum.