Gloria C. (Dehos) Rex

     Gloria C. Rex, 89, of Bailey's Harbor passed away early Friday, February 21st, at St. Vincent's Hospital. Gloria was a woman of great strength and heart, of tested faith and enduring love, of grit and good nature.

     From her youth to her death, Gloria's nurturing spirit was evident. She cared for her father when he became crippled with rheumatoid arthritis; she made daily sacrifices for her children; she then cared for her husband Charles when he was crippled from injuries at the shipyard; she devoted her days to loving her dogs and watching each tree along her walking paths grow up.

     Gloria was known as "firecracker" in her youth for her red hair and unassuming yet impactful spirit. She was always on the shy side but she had a way of exploding hearts when one got to know her. Her impact whispered of her humility, self-sacrifice, and nonjudgmental reflection.

     Out of high school, Gloria attended Algoma's teacher's college, called "Normal School" back then. For two years, she rode with Lester Newman, a former 6th grade teacher at Gibraltar. Though her grades were strong, she was told she was too shy to become a teacher. She then desired to join the WAVES, the women's branch of the Navy, but was called home to help care for her father.

     Gloria married Charles Rex October 5, 1963, and had three children. She preferred to work with her hands, doing laundry at Scand and assisting her husband with his side jobs in lawn care and cutting firewood. Digging in the dirt to plant and harvest her garden made her feel connected to her beloved nature.

     Gloria took up running in her mid-40's, an effort to do something for herself that was hers alone. She slowly built up endurance by challenging herself to run to this telephone pole, then that one, making her way up to daily 2-mile runs. She then, despite her nerves, gathered up the courage to enter the Bailey's Harbor 4th of July race, a 6-mile race- a distance she had never before attempted. Her one goal that day was to not stop. She set her speed and kept pace the whole way. The result: First Place in her age group and setting a new record! This story seems to sum up her life motto. When the going got tough, keep moving.

     Always a walker, following in the footsteps of her own mother, she continued to walk several times a day with her dogs. She pioneered off-road trails: through swamps, up hills, deep into the forest. She walked without fear, finding enjoyment in the "road less traveled" and took pleasure in the joy of her dogs running free.

     May her gentle yet persevering spirit move on with her children Chaz (spouse Jessie), Phillip, Katherine (spouse Rich), her dog Charley, her sister Jane, her brother Dan (spouse Marilyn), her step-grandchildren Richard (spouse Jess), Leah (partner Paul), Yelena (widow of Cale), five step great grandchildren (Zack, Matthew, Hunter, Maverick, Wyatt), numerous nieces and nephews, and a lifetime of connections from local dog parks, exercise groups, and churches.

     Gloria was first greeted in heaven by her Savior Jesus who led the welcoming committee of her husband Charles; her previous dogs Nicky, Hobbes, Malibu, Sam, Bailey, and Charley I; her parents Ruth and Edward; her brothers David, Leland, Billy, and Edward; her son-in-law Rob; her step grandson Cale; and so many others who touched her life and she touched theirs.

     We take comfort in the vision of her running free without pain, wearing comfortable shorts with her red curls bouncing in the wind as a kennel of dogs romps at her feet, her smile unreserved, her eyes twinkling with pure joy.

     The family is grateful for the people the Lord put in place to care for her in her final days: DCMH ER team, the ambulance crew, Julia and Anthony at St. Vincent's as well as the team of caregivers there including the chaplain and Hospice, Nicole at Huehn's, Pastor Scharrig at Immanuel Lutheran of Baileys Harbor, and all those who have shared our grief and offered support.

     To honor Gloria's wishes, a private family graveside service will be held on Mother's Day weekend on May 10th. Gloria’s family invites extended family and friends to gather and informally share memories at the Baileys Harbor Ballpark at noon on Saturday, May 10, 2025, a place Gloria frequented with her dogs. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Captain Bailey's Dog Park in her name.

     Expressions of sympathy can be sent to P.O. Box 27, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202. Memories and photos of Gloria may be shared with her family through her tribute page at www.CaspersonFuneralHome.com.

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