Gloria Schalk Wegner

Gloria Rose Fetherston Schalk Wegner B. 3/22/1926 D. 2/21/22 Gloria Schalk Wegner died of natural causes on February 21, 2022. She was 95 years old. She was preceded in death by her brother and sister, her husband Jerome, her second husband Art Wegner, and her son Terry Schalk. She is survived by her children Kate, Mary, and Peter. She was the oldest surviving member of the Fetherston cousins. Gloria Wegner was born in 1926, to Clara and James Fetherston of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She was the oldest of three. Her brother Bennett was born in 1929, and younger sister Nancy was born 1935. She was part of the large Fetherston clan, with many aunts, uncles, cousins, second cousins, many of whom she counted as her dear friends. She was very proud of her Irish heritage and loved everything Irish. She grew up in Milwaukee, attending Catholic grade school, and Holy Angels Academy High School. She met her husband, Jerome Schalk, early on in grade school, but there was no spark there until high school when the flames were kindled. The two of them became jitterbug experts and were regulars at some of Milwaukee's dance halls. They were married in 1946, just after Jerry returned from World War II, where he was a crew member of the B-17s flying over Germany and later, a prisoner of war. They settled in a flat in Milwaukee( on ???St.) In March of 1947 Kathleen was born. Three years later Terry was born and they were a family of four. At that time Gloria and the children were living with her parents while Jerry served in the Korean War. After the war, they moved to 61st Street, to new subdivision just south of Capital Drive in Milwaukee. Soon, the suburbs beckoned, and they moved to Mequon's Hidden Acres in 1954. It was here that Gloria and her husband made many lifelong friends. The family belonged to St. James Parish (now Lumen Christi), where their children were confirmed, and they attended services. In 1957, Gloria was diagnosed with kidney cancer. After several years of treatments and recovery she was cancer free and lived a long life with only one kidney. Gloria was an avid craftswoman, knitting, sewing, and redecorating her house. Her children and friends were the lucky recipients of beautiful Scandinavian sweaters, hats and mittens. She also had a green thumb and the house was full of plants and in the summer the outside was full of red geraniums. She was a reluctant bridge player and part of a bridge club for years. You could often find Gloria sitting in her kitchen nook, drinking coffee, cigarette in hand, chatting away to one of her many friends. Her brother Ben, like to call her "gas bag" as she was known for being quite the talker. She had a feisty spirit and a quick temper. As one of her daughter's friends remarked after meeting her, "Well, she's a quart in a pint jar!" In 1961, Gloria gave birth to Mary, which was a bit of a surprise after her supposed sterility from cobalt treatments for her kidney cancer. Three years later she had Peter. In 1968 two tragedies struck with her father James dying in June. Then in August Gloria's husband died suddenly from a heart attack, leaving her a widow with two young children. Having to support her family, she got a job as an occupational therapy aide, working with her friend and cousin-in-law, Betty Jane Fetherston at the Glendale Nursing Home. She continued there until she took a job as a tour guide, leading bus tours across the U.S. In her next job, she served as an activities coordinator and tour director for Luther Manor in Wauwatosa. It was a job she was born to do, with her outgoing personality, humor and great story-telling, she entertained the residents and her tour members while on tour. We used to tease her and call her "Henny Youngman on Wheels!" She enjoyed the travel and the challenge. She was also able to vacation in Italy with her daughter in October of 2001, right after 911. Five years later, she went on a mother/daughter trip to Ireland's South and West Coast, with Kate, three of Kate's friends and their mothers. It was at Luther Manor that she met Art Wegner, a widower who volunteered there. He had a sparkle in his eye whenever he'd bump into Gloria. That spark was kindled between them and soon the family was hearing about the "Silver Fox" who she was dating. The family couldn't believe it. After so many years of widowhood, this was the first time she had any interest in any romantic activity. The family met Art and were delighted to find that he was such a kind and loving person. They were married in 1992 at Luther Manor in the Chapel. The service was performed by her cousin, the late Father Dick Fetherston. There was much joy to be had among family and friends at the reception. They enjoyed camping at Plymouth Rock every Spring through early Fall, making many new friends in that community. In 1996, Art was diagnosed with a brain tumor, which was cancerous. It was a disheartening diagnosis for both of them after finding each other after many years of their own personal struggles and care tending. We all hoped they could enjoy their golden years together for years to come. He was a wonderful man and so good to our mother. After Art's passing, Glo moved to an apartment complex in Cedarburg to be in closer proximity to her daughter Mary. Peter moved back to Wisconsin, so Glo was delighted to have her youngest nearby. Some time after that, she moved to a senior housing apartment in Grafton, where she lived until breaking her hip in a fall. She then moved to Serenity assisted living facility in Grafton, where she earned the nickname "Glo-bear!" It was apparent then that dementia was making its inroads; however, the stories and the gabbing didn't stop and in fact became much more interesting mixing fact and fiction. Although the dementia scrambled things, she still remembered her children, family and friends, or at least she was pretty good at faking it! Eventually she moved to ForestHaven in Fredonia, where serendipitously many of the original staff from Serenity now worked. It was a great comfort to her family that she was well take care of by people who knew and Loved her sassy self. As many mental and physical ailments took their toll, Gloria was put on Hospice, which ironically seemed to lift her spirits and extend her life. She was delighted by visits from Mary and Peter, and Peter's dog Dexter, and her eldest Terry and Kate would visit as often as possible from the East Coast. When COVID-19 rolled in, the facility went into lock down which prevented visits from family, friends, and even Hospice. This took its toll on her health and mental faculties. She passed peacefully among her family, hospice and Forest Haven staff. Her ever present spunk, humor, stories will be greatly missed by everyone. Her larger-than-life presence has created a void in all of our lives. We hope she is greeted by all who have gone before her and they are happily chatting over a cup of heavenly coffee or a vodka and tonic and eating one of Grandma Clara's sweet rolls. Visiting hours will be 10:00 – 10:45 AM, prior to a Funeral Mass at Lumen Christi Church, 2750 W Mequon Rd, Mequon starting at 11:00 AM. Reception to follow Mass. Interment will be attended by family only at Holy Cross Cemetery.