Gloria M. Olmstead, 92, of Medford, passed away Thursday January 25, 2018 at Aspirus Care and Rehab in Medford.
She was born March 14, 1925 in Ogema, WI to Joseph and Vlasta (Hrdlicka) Simek. She is a graduate of Westboro High School. She joined the Nursing Corps and then went on to St. Josephs Nursing School in Marshfield where she received a Bachelors Degree in Nursing in 1947.
Upon completion of nursing school, she moved to Georgia and worked as a nurse for a brief period of time. She then went on to work for Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago. She then met Ernest Olmstead in Delta Junction, Alaska. They married in 1959 and owned and operated a hunting lodge. In 1968 she moved to Medford and worked for the Medford Memorial Hospital. In 1972, she then moved to Wausau and worked for the Wausau Hospital and was a Marathon County Nurse and was part of the Visiting Nurses Association. Upon retirement, she moved back to Medford to take care of her Mother.
Gloria loved polka music, singing, playing bingo and bowling in leagues. She was a member of the Medford VFW Auxiliary.
Gloria is survived by her Children: Julianne Lennon of Rothschild, Ernie (Karen Riley) Olmstead of Belize, Grandchildren: Quintin Olmstead of Irvine, CA, Courtney Lennon and Sean Lennon both of Kronenwetter, Siblings: Vlasta Cummings of Delta Junction, AK, William (Mary Anne) Noziska of Casper, WY, Danny (Judy) Noziska of Juneau, AK, and many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her Husband, Parents, Daughter Valerie Rose Olmstead, and Brothers Joseph “Pep” and Ron Simek.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday February 3, 2018 at Hemer Funeral Home, Medford Chapel. Pastor Quinlan Koch will officiate. Visitation will be held Friday February 2, 2018 from 4-7 PM at Hemer Funeral Home, and an hour prior to the service on Saturday. Cremation rites will be accorded following the service, burial will be held at Mt. Olive Cemetery in Westboro in the spring.
Memorial donations in honor of Gloria can be given to Medford VFW Auxiliary.
Hemer Funeral Service of Medford and Rib Lake has been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences can be left at www.hemerfuneralservice.com
