Gloria V. Czaplewski passed from this life on July 28, 2024. Beloved mother of Robert (Kay), Debra (Scott) Hayes, and Daniel (Kathryn) Czaplewski. Dear grandma of Randy, Rebecca (Matt) Lechner, Sarah (Mike) Ruiz-Alarcon, Elizabeth (Aaron) Dittrich, Scott Hayes, Amanda, Daniel Hayes, Kathleen, Robert, Matthew, and Emily Czaplewski. Fond great-grandma of Layla Czaplewski, Thomas Czaplewski, Henry Lechner, Theodore Lechner and Della Ruiz-Alarcon. Preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert, and cherished sons Randolph and Scott. Gloria is survived by many dear nieces and nephews, special friends Paul and Sandy Ferguson, Louanne Hippe, and her many friends at Regency New Berlin Senior Living, especially her "Hand and Foot" card group and her bingo group.

Gloria was born October 17, 1932 on Milwaukee's south side as the 13th of the 14 children of Walter and Anna (Nowak) Raszeja. Her siblings were Rose, Irene, Esther (who died at age 2), Antonina (who also died at age 2), Alice (Hermersmann), George, Esther Michalski, Eleanore Ludwig, Veronica Leonard, Harry, Dorothy, Gertrude Wolczewski, and Dolores Kujac. At 91, Gloria lived the longest of anyone in her family.

Like many Depression-era families, Gloria and some of her siblings went to work at a young age to help support the family. She worked various factory jobs to help her family make ends meet. Despite not having the opportunity to complete her education, Gloria was a very savvy and intelligent woman who taught herself how to do just about everything.

When she was 16, she met the love of her life, Robert Czaplewski, a 21-year-old Navy vet, at a gas station where he was working. When she was barely 17, they married and began their life together. Bob worked for the railroad, and then began a lifelong career as an electrician with Tonsor Electric, while Gloria made a home. They raised five children together, along with a menagerie of different pets that the kids had over the years. Dogs, cats, ducks, raccoons, snakes, tarantulas, birds (including a happy-birthday-singing mynah bird) and even an alligator were part of the family at one time or another, with Mom's help.

When their son Randy was 16, he was injured in a tragic accident. The injuries took his life, and pierced a large part of his mother's heart, a wound she was never quite able to bear. Through all the future joys and sorrows of the family and life she and Bob built together, there was always a part of their hearts missing. Bob passed away in 2001. In 2023, she also lost her youngest son, Scott, who she had enjoyed spending time with, especially in her later years.

Besides tending her home and family, Gloria also worked at St. Francis Hospital and other places. In retirement, she and Bob lived up north in Adams County, where they shared many memories with their friends and family. She enjoyed ceramics, bingo, playing cards, baking, and traveling the world with her niece and her husband, Jeannie and Garrett. Gloria loved to bake for her family and is most known for her famous butterhorns, and cheesecake with maraschino cherries.

Gloria's true love was her family. Even though she practiced "tough love" sometimes, her true joy was her children (and their spouses), and grandchildren. She taught her family to always stand up for what they believed in and to not let anyone push them around. She always supported her family's dreams and wanted the best for them.

Gloria was truly one of a kind. Everyone that has been blessed to have Gloria in their lives can all agree on one thing: she was a very tough woman. She will be very missed, and her legacy will live on in the hearts of those who loved her most.

Visitation at the Funeral Home THURSDAY, August 1, 2024 from 10:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M. Funeral Service at 12:00 P.M. Interment to follow St. Adalbert Cemetery.

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