Gladys Ann (Platte) Bengel

Gladys Ann Bengel, age 84, our beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by family, on May 28, 2024. She was born in Westphalia on November 22, 1939, to Robert and Adeline Platte. Gladys married the love of her life, Robert (Bobby) Bengel, on October 17, 1959, and they shared 50 blessed years of marriage.

Gladys was a devoted homemaker who always added a sweet touch to her cooking. She was known for her cookies and even earned the name “Grandma Cookie”. She loved to crochet, enjoyed playing cards with her many card groups, and made wonderful memories with her lifelong friends, the Lucky Seven. She was a member of the St. Mary’s Parish, the Christian Mothers and Women's Guild, and a dedicated member of the St. Mary’s Choir for 66 years. Gladys and Bobby enjoyed their travels with both family and friends; she also took many trips with her girl friends. She enjoyed going to the casino, visiting Shipshewana and attending grandchildren’s sporting events. When she was home, one would often find her watching Lawrence Welk, the Young and the Restless or the Wheel of Fortune. She had many treasured memories from the family cottage at Chippewa Lake, where she cherished fishing, pontooning around the lake and making her famous potato salad for family dinners. Gladys had a deep faith and truly enjoyed spending time with her family.

Preceding Gladys in death are Bobby (husband), Joe (son), Noah Thelen (grandson), Lucas Spitzley (great-grandson), Robert and Adeline (Bohr) Platte (parents), Paul Platte (brother), Arlene Koster (sister), Evelyn and Louis Hengesbach (sister and brother in-law), Mary Ellen Pohl (sister), Robert Platte (brother), Joseph and Hilda Bengel (father and mother in-law), sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Joan and Edgar Thelen, Jeannette Pohl and Arnold Pohl, Donald Weber, Adeline and Vern Schneider.

Surviving are her children: Kurt (Brenda) Bengel, Gail (Eugene) Spitzley, Debbie (Mike) Prince, Angie (Tony) Thelen, and daughter-in-law Kelly Bengel, 17 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren with two more great-grandchildren on the way, Elvan Pohl (brother in-law), Beverly Platte (sister in-law), Diane and Bill Thelen (sister and brother in-law), sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Mary Ann Thelen, Rosie and Jerome Smith, Rich and Alice Bengel, Aggie and Charlie George, and many nieces and nephews.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Fr. Peter Lawrence at 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 31, 2024 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Westphalia. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 2-8 p.m. with the rosary being prayed at 1:30 p.m. at the St. Mary’s Funeral Chapel, 210 N. Westphalia Street, Westphalia. Rite of Committal will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. For those wishing, memorial contributions may be made to No More Sidelines of Central Michigan, 4334 N. Wacousta Road, Fowler, MI 48835. Online condolences may be made at www.lehmanfuneralhomes.com.

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