Gloria Joan Mandli

Gloria Joan Mandli, age 87, passed away at her home in Racine, Wisconsin on Friday, October 23, 2015. She was the second child born to Edward and Adeline Gross in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin on May 25, 1928. Later the family of four moved to Racine, Wisconsin where Gloria graduated from St. Catherine’s High School in 1946.

It was in Racine that Gloria met Joseph James Mandli and on August 17, 1946 they were married. They were blessed with seven children, all raised in Racine.

Gloria was employed and retired from S.C. Johnson and Sons.

Gloria married Florn N. Schmidt on July 24, 1982 and they shared an undeniable love for over 40 years as the best of friends. Together they traveled the world, and danced many nights away.

Gloria was a vibrant, outgoing woman who brightened a room with her beautifully large smile and easy laughter. She was incredibly passionate about the things she enjoyed. Her gardens were always beautiful, she never missed a Packers game and she never sat down if there was a mouth she thought needed fed. She was also known for sharing fabulous stories!

Above all Gloria was a loving woman who cherished her family. Through the years she took many trips to spend time with her family at their homes throughout Wisconsin and across the country. She also was invited on many family vacations, including Hawaii and Vancouver and she (almost) never forgot to send her nineteen grandchildren and thirty-one great-grandchildren cards for their birthday. She dedicated her later life to caring for her daughter Susan after she experienced health complications. She will be greatly missed.

Gloria is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Edward Gross; first husband, Joseph Mandli; and grandson, David J. Mandli Jr. Gloria leaves to cherish her memory her long-time love, Florn N. Schmidt; children, David Mandli and wife Terrie of Mosinee, Wisconsin, Robert Mandli and wife Vicki of Porterfield, Wisconsin, Thomas Mandli and wife Gail of Peshtigo, Wisconsin, Nancy Brophy and husband Stephen of San Antonio, Texas, James Mandli of Racine, Wisconsin, Janet Mandli of Huntington Beach, California, and Susan Mandli of Racine, Wisconsin; nineteen grandchildren, Laura Tegart and husband John, Eric Mandli and wife Isabel, Lisa Martell and husband Peter, Ben Mandli and wife Teri, Becky Mandli and partner Dan Haskin, John Mandli and wife Jennifer, Jennifer Mandli, Kelli Kerkman and husband Steve Pulec, Jilana Dennis and husband Charles, Craig Mandli and wife Patricia, Brett Mandli, Matthew Castor and wife Sarah, Adam Cole and wife Teri, Jennifer Brophy, Carl Brophy, William Mandli and wife Amanda, Michael Mandli and wife Jessica, Tonica Morris, Serena Pabriaga and husband Christopher; thirty-one great-grandchildren and many other extended family friends.

Gloria’s family will gather and support each other privately on Thursday, October 29, 2015. Services to celebrate and honor Gloria’s life and legacy will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, October 30, 2015 at Draeger–Langendorf Funeral Home in Racine, Wisconsin. Her family will greet friends at a memorial visitation the hour prior to services. Interment services will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park.