Gloria Walters Shankwitz

A memorial service for Gloria Shankwitz, 82, of Cleburne, Texas, will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014 at Ascension Lutheran Church in Cleburne. Pastor Ben Rathgeber will officiate. Gloria Shankwitz passed away peacefully on November 7, 2014 in her home in Cleburne, Texas. After living with stage IV cancer for almost four years and enduring many medical treatments, Gloria always had a smile to give and a positive attitude. Everyone she touched was better for the experience of meeting her. Gloria was born on May 27, 1932 in Brokaw, Wisconsin, where she was reared by her grandparents. After working as an executive secretary at Wausau Paper Mills, she married Harold Shankwitz in 1962. Their journey together took them from Wausau, Wisconsin, to Burnsville, Minnesota, to El Paso, Texas, to Fort Smith, Arkansas, and then to Bartlesville, Oklahoma where Harold died on November 17, 1996. After Harold’s death, Gloria relocated to Cleburne Texas in 2004 to be near her youngest daughter, Susie, and her only grandchild, Bridget. Wherever Gloria lived, she made many lasting friendships and would volunteer her time at church, nearby schools, and hospitals. She was always willing to listen and give comfort whenever needed, always looking outside of herself. Pioneering in spirit Comfortable in her faith Cherishing for her family We pass her light to Heaven Gloria is survived by her daughters, Susie Shankwitz and husband, Brian Tracy, of Cleburne, and Kristin Meijer and husband, Ron Meijer, of Kirkland, Washington, and one precious granddaughter, Bridget Tracy. Gloria will be greatly missed by many other relatives and friends. Condolences for the family may be offered at www.lonestarcremation.com