Gladys Irene Sage

OREGON / STOUGHTON - Gladys Irene Sage, age 87, passed from this life to eternal glory in Heaven on April 18, 2025, at Skaalen Heritage Center, Stoughton, Wis. She was born on June 3, 1937, in Ironwood, Mich., the only child of Carl and Rachel Olson.  

Gladys married Frederick Sage on January 4, 1958, at Salem Lutheran Church, in Ironwood, Mich. They began their 63 years together by immediately moving to Sacramento, Calif. West Coast life held many adventures and new friends, but they later moved, with sons, Steven and David, to Oregon, Wis. in 1968 to be closer to their families.  She enjoyed being a homemaker, bowler, and square dancer.  She later became an avid doll collector and clothes “aficionado” (she loved her fashion!).  She later retired after a 20-year career with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.  She and Fred enjoyed their retirement years with many vacations around the U.S.

Gladys embraced being a proud UP’er and it was easy for her family to “catch the fever!”.  “The grass is always greener and the sky bluer up north” was one of her favorite phrases.  She also treasured being a wonderful wife, mom, grandma, great-grandma, as well as a friend to many!  Her life outlook was always positive and those around her gravitated to that.  She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church for over 55 years, and active in the Ruth Circle and assisting in the church's annual smorgasbord for many years.

Gladys is survived by her sons, Steven (Lori) Sage of Janesville and David Sage of Madison; granddaughters, Jenna (Perry) Hartl and Kaitlyn (Derek) Parshall; great-granddaughters, Mya and Reagan; and great-grandson, Parker Hartl.  She was looking forward to welcoming baby Parshall (due in October).  She also leaves behind several cousins, and many friends, who she was so happy to keep in touch with while in Stoughton. Gladys was preceded in death by her parents, relatives, and her husband (in 2021), whom she missed tremendously.  We are thankful to God that they are together once again!

A memorial service will be held at ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 625 E. Netherwood St., Oregon, Wis., at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 6, 2025.  A visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday.

In lieu of flowers and plants, memorials may be given to Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg, Wis., or St. John’s Lutheran Church in Oregon, Wis.

The family wishes to thank all those who cared for her in the last few years of her life:  Doctors and medical staff at SSM Health in Stoughton, Skaalen Heights and Heritage Center, and Agrace Hospice staff. Special thanks to Marvin, Brooke, Alison, Tammy and many others at Skaalen, as well as Elena and many others at Agrace. Your special care and concern for our mom will never be forgotten!

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die." (John 11:25-26)

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Stoughton

Funeral & Cremation Care

1358 Highway 51 N. at Jackson St.

(608) 873-4590