Gladys E. Butzen, 89, of Sheboygan, passed away Wednesday evening, February 18, 2015 at Morningside Health Center where she had been residing since January. Born July 8, 1925 in Sheboygan, Gladys was a daughter of the late Fred and Jenny Madson Pelchen. She attended Sheboygan area schools and graduated from Sheboygan North High School in 1943. On June 14, 1947, she was united in marriage to John Nicholas Butzen at St. Dominic Catholic Church. They were married for 43 years before John preceded her in death on October 6, 1990. Gladys worked as a bookkeeper for various businesses in the area. She was a member of St. Dominic Catholic Church. She had a love of music and enjoyed playing the piano, organ and the accordion. She loved playing cards with the "club girls", spending time with her family and grandchildren, camping and fishing. She was also a member of the Sweet Adeline's. She will be greatly missed by her dog, Rusty. She is survived by her three sons, Mike (Betty) Butzen, Howards Grove, Mark (Diana) Butzen, Sheboygan, and Steve Butzen, South Beloit, IL; eleven grandchildren, Nikkie Fischer, Sheboygan, Matthew Butzen, Howards Grove, Jayson Brendel, Cleveland, Jodie Brendel, Sheboygan Falls, Jeremy Brendel, Sheboygan, Jackie Brendel, Sheboygan Falls, Amy Henson, TN, Jamie Butzen, Sheboygan, Tammie Butzen, Sheboygan, Josh Butzen, Sheboygan and Sarah Senda, Milwaukee; sixteen great grandchildren; her brother, Fritz Pelchen; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Besides her parents and husband, John, she was preceded in death by a grandson, Phillip Butzen. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, February 23, 2015 at St. Dominic Catholic Church, 21st & Geele Avenue. The Rev. Philip D. Reifenberg will celebrate the Mass. Family and friends are welcome at the church on Monday from 12:00 p.m. until the time of Mass. Inurnment will take place in Calvary Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established in her name. The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Morningside Health Center and the St. Nicholas Hospice for all of their loving care and support. The Olson Funeral Home & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Gladys' arrangements.
