Gladys Ruth (Reeves) Austgen

     Gladys Ruth (Reeves) Austgen, age 81, Sister Bay, WI went home to eternal glory April 13, 2020.

     She was born January 25, 1939 at Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago, IL. Her parents were Everett Paul Reeves, Sr. and Elizabeth Matilda (Hachmeister). She grew up with her sister Joyce on a farm on River Road, now Rosemont, IL.

     Gladys graduated from Lyons Township High School, La Grange, IL in 1956. She then learned keypunch and worked for 3M in Bedford Park, IL and later General Motors Electro-motive Division in McCook, IL as a Junior Tab Operator where the computer was a large IBM 650 that filled a room.

     Gladys took time off in 1960 to marry widower George Robert Austgen. An electrician by trade, George had three young girls when they married, Lynda, age 9, Nancy, age 7 and Grace, age 4. Their family expanded with the additions of Carrie in 1961, Daniel in 1962 and Jennifer in 1963. In 1980, Gladys went back to the work force as a secretary to the marketing department of ISC, a computer company in Oak Brook, IL.

     As a busy family, George and Gladys were very involved in church, directing and accompanying choirs and singing on weekly radio shows on WMBI radio in Chicago, IL as featured soloists, duets, and part of trios and quartets. After singing at Bethel Baptist Church in Ellison Bay, WI by invitation of Pastor Aymond Anderson in 1971, they fell in love with Door County where George and Gladys eventually retired to in 1990 and bought Dr. Farmer’s home near Sister Bay.

     In 1992, Gladys accepted a job as Music Director at the newly formed Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church in Ellison Bay. It was a cherished time filled with wonderful experiences and many loving people. She was also an Assistant Director of the Peninsula Chamber Singers and a beloved piano and voice teacher to countless children throughout Door County.

     Survivors include children, Lynda (Ed, deceased) Lissy, Nancy (Charlie) Carrao, Grace (Clare) Austgen, Carrie (Alexsys) Austgen, Daniel (Valerie) Austgen and Jennifer Austgen; grandchildren, Joshua Lissy, Jessica (Walter) Gooden, Cody Carrao, Cory Carrao, Ryan (Danielle) Jindra, Isabelle Austgen, Matthew Austgen, Sarah Austgen and Logan Austgen; great-grandchildren, Walter Gooden, Jr. and Ava Jindra.

     Gladys is also survived by her sister, Joyce (Joe) Walta; brother, Paul (Sacorro) Reeves and many beloved nieces and nephews.

     A celebration of her life will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church with Rev. James Honig officiating and Rev. Mark Billington providing the message. The service will be LIVESTREAMED at 1:30 p.m. via the “Casperson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, LLC” Facebook page.

     Friends may call at the church from 12:00 p.m. noon until the time of service at 1:30 p.m.    Capacity limits will be in place for the service, and capacity will be limited during the visitation.   For attendees that exceed capacity or are more comfortable outside, radio frequency broadcast will be available while in your cars at church parking lot.  Masks will be required, temps taken and hand sanitizer provided.   If you are not feeling well or have symptoms of a cold, allergy or flu, please do not attend.   

     With great sadness the Austgen family would like to recognize the passing of Gladys' daughter, Lynda Faye Austgen Lissy.  She was born on January 3, 1951 and passed on February 16, 2021 while residing in Pensacola, Florida.

     “We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Gladys' doctors at Green Bay Oncology, the care staff at Unity Hospice, as well as, Fran Teskie and Myrma Howard for helping us care for  Gladys in her final days.”

     In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made out to the Shepherd of the Bay Music Fund, The Austgen Memorial at Camp Forest Springs in Westboro, WI or Unity Hospice.

     Casperson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, LLC in Sister Bay, WI is assisting the Austgen family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Gladys may be shared with her family through her tribute page at www.caspersonfuneralhome.com.

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