Gloria C. Gazam

Gloria Charlotte Gazam, age 81, was born on November 3, 1936 in Chicago Illinois to Zigmond and Josephine (Sojka) Skarupinski. On January 23, 2018, Gloria was called home to be with her Lord and Savior. Gloria leaves behind the legacy of a life well-lived and much loved.

Her early childhood years were spent in Chicago where she spent time with her extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins. Circa 1945, Gloria's family moved to Stevens Point Wisconsin, where they purchased and ran The Log Cabin.

This move prompted Gloria to cut her teeth on the hospitality industry in ways that were rare for someone her age. She actively participated in running the day-to-day business of The Log Cabin. In her spare time, she participated in the baton class at Maria High School, where she graduated circa 1954.   As a twirler, Gloria participated in numerous local extravaganzas and parades. Some of her favorites were the evening performances, where she dazzled the audience with her nimble fingers and brightly-lit baton.

The Log Cabin became a staple and mainstay in Stevens Point, beginning in the mid-40's and all the way through the early 70's. This local icon thrived amidst many years of substantial geographic growth, a changing landscape and a diverse demographic.   For many who were around during the era, this is still a place that is fondly remembered for both for its food and warm hospitality.   Though The Log Cabin was sold in the early 70's, the family continued to call Stevens Point home.

Gloria had many varied interests. She was an avid reader throughout her life, reading books cover-to-cover in record time and then passing them on to others in order to share the experience of a story she so enjoyed. Even at the later stages of her life, she embraced learning: complicated projects and activities in which her reading skills served her well. Through her interest in computers for example, she even made the entire "How To Book For Dummies " series seem cool.

Gloria also loved politics. She was news junkie and loved watching the pundits spar on television. She had an opinion about everything and everyone; and was willing to share these freely when asked. Gloria was smart; she possessed a diverse knowledge base about many different topics. Much of this intelligence was cultivated through her great love of reading, which so enriched her life and those whom she came to know and interact with.

Gloria was also a lover of animals and never passed up an opportunity to take in a stray. Many of her best-loved pets were abandoned before finding their way to her doorstep.  Her family can fondly recall some of the animals she took under her wing. These were not always your typical pets! They included such things as: a skunk, a possum, a flying squirrel, a tarantula, and a host of others.
At one point in her life, she owned a talking Mynah bird named Pierre; and they made guest appearances on numerous local news programs. One of Pierre's favorite phrases was "Annette, What Are You Doing?" Go ahead. Imagine! Why do you suppose Pierre became fluent in saying that?

Notwithstanding, Gloria's career took her into several interesting areas of work. One of her most- loved positions was being the manager of the Woolworth pet department in Stevens Point. Here she developed a love of tropical fish and embraced the duties of the day-to-day care needed to help all the critters find forever homes. A hard worker all of her life, later she would work at the Northwest Liquor Company and eventually Sentry Insurance, where she retired from.

Gloria is survived by her daughters, Annette Glodowski and Kathy Young; her grandchildren Amanda (Ken) Christ, Kyle Glodowski, Jonathan, and Jamie Young; one great grandson, Jakob Glodowski; and numerous other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her Mother and Father; her first husband, Harold Gazam and her second husband, Nicholas Zywickie; grandson Christopher; son-in-law Dennis; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and step-kin.

Gloria will be immensely missed by all who knew her. She touched many souls during her short time here. Though her absence leaves a gigantic void, for those of us who were blessed to know Gloria, her footprint will remain on our hearts forever.

A memorial service celebrating Gloria's life will be held at a later date.

Pisarski Funeral Home of Stevens Point is honored to be serving the family. For online condolences please visit www.pisarskifuneralhome.com

We would like to thank Dr. Hahn and Dr. Ahmed, the Staff members of Ascension St. Michael's Hospital, Ministry Hospice, The Lodge at Whispering Pines and the Stevens Point EMS Teams that have cared for Gloria during the past few months. Your care, love, compassion and devoted service has touched our hearts.