William (Bill) R., Jr. and Gladys K. Stelges

Gladys Kristine Nilsen was born January 17, 1929, and grew up in Staten Island, New York. She was the baby of three in her Norwegian family, being the first to be born in the Unites States. Memories of her childhood would include family time and her involvement with many church activities and ice skating.

Gladys married Bill Stelges on February 9, 1952, had two daughters and one son, and moved to Cocoa Beach, Florida, in 1961. She spent most of her years as a loving house wife, taking care of the family home and activities, and later becoming “MomMom” to her sweet Grandchildren in a role she loved dearly.

Gladys dodged Covid-19 and was able to live her last days quietly, as her body continued to weaken until December 6, 2020; alongside her loyal husband, Bill of nearly 69 years, in nearly identical conditions. Gladys, on the day before her passing, with eyes and body in such feeble states, would raise her arm to Heaven as if it to let them know that there would be two of them arriving shortly.

In addition to her parents, Anna and Adolph Nilsen, Gladys was predeceased by her Sister, Florence (Flossie) Larsen and Nephew, Arnold Nilsen, earlier in 2020 and prior by her brother and sister in-law, Arnold Nilsen and Nan Nilsen, and Nieces, Lynn and Janet. Gladys predeceased her husband, William (Bill) R. Stelges Jr, by only one day.

Bill was born William Robert Stelges, Jr on January 29, 1927, and grew up in Brooklyn, New York. He worked hard in school and would later tell the Grandkids in sunny Florida that he grew up watching his Dad jump from train car to train car at the railroad yard and watching his hometown Brooklyn Dodgers.

After seeing so many baseball greats in person, his love of baseball rested with the Tampa Bay Rays as he got to watch them at the World Series on TV; a rare highpoint in this unprecedented 2020 year, that has saddened many or has taken so many from us.

Bill dodged Covid-19 and was able to live his last days quietly, as his heart continued to weaken and body rested; alongside his precious wife, Gladys, who was able to stay at his side until the day prior. The morning before her passing, their daughter would wake to see their hands embraced; a movement only Bill could have mustered even from such a feeble state.

The family cannot tell for sure if Bill knew of Gladys’ passing, but some surmise that he made sure “Mother”, as he called her in front of their children and grandchildren, reached her destiny safely as he followed within 24 hours. Definitely a storybook ending of endured love and support for each other, aligning more perfectly than anyone could have imagined in their last Earthly days, which followed a Thanksgiving weekend of sitting up in chairs and talking.

Bill was predeceased by his parents, William Robert and Theodora Stelges, and Sister, Alice.

Gladys and Bill are survived by their Son, William R. III (Bill), his wife Katrine, Daughters Susan Anderson & her husband Fred, and Karen Rockey. Gladys and Bill had Grandchildren, Donny Cross; Freddy, Jamie, Michael, and Ashley Anderson; and Andrew (Drew) and Justin Stelges; along with many Great-Grandchildren at the time of her/their passing who will hear many everlasting stories of MomMom of PopPop and their inseparable love.

Private services will be held at the Florida Memorial Gardens in Rockledge, Florida, with family near, where they will join nearby missed and dearest friends, Matt and Francis Matthews.

Those who wish to remember Gladys or “MomMom” in a special way may make gifts to Grace United Methodist Church, 65 Needle Boulevard, Merritt Island, FL 32952, 321-452-2420 or [email protected]

Those who wish to remember Bill or “PopPop” in a special way may make gifts to the American Space Museum and Walk of Fame, 308 Pine Street, Titusville, Florida 32796. http://spacewalkoffame.org/ or 321- 264-0434 or [email protected]

More about the Special Lady, Gladys or “MomMom”