On Tuesday, July 4, 2023 Gladys Barbara Kaul awoke in the loving arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus having passed from this earthly life at the age of 81 years.  In the final months of Gladys' life, she was known to have a recurring brain mass that contributed to other frailties associated with aging.

Gladys married her adoring husband, Dennis Kaul, of more than 63 years in 1960.  He survives her.  Together they were blessed with three children:  Vicky (Bernhardt) Rupprecht of Frankenmuth, Karmen (Michael) Reinert of Frankenmuth, and Albert (Elizabeth) Kaul of Saginaw.  They all survive her, and together mourn her loss and celebrate her heavenly victory over this life.

As a grandmother, Gladys loved spending time with her grandchildren: Bernie (Jordan) Rupprecht from Vic and Bern, Melissa (Brandon) Tebedo, Brittney (Jason) Maurer, Justin (Chelsea) Reinert from Karm and Mike, and Luke, Silas, and Elijah Kaul from Al and Beth.  God also blessed Gladys with great-grandchildren:  Adrianna, Chloe, Cade, Allison, Tenley, Michael, Tyler, Reed, and Leah.

Born on February 3, 1941 to parents Albert and Lottie (Koeppendoerfer) Gugel, Gladys was baptized into the Christian faith as an infant and later confirmed that faith at St. Lorenz Lutheran Church Frankenmuth where she grew up.  She attended St. Lorenz Lutheran School and Frankenmuth High School where she met Dennis.  After living briefly in Saginaw, Bad Axe and Adrian, Dennis and Gladys returned to the Frankenmuth/Saginaw communities where she and Dennis raised their family and attended Immanuel Lutheran Church and School since 1969.

Gladys worked briefly outside of her home for businesses including the Saginaw Club, Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn, Frankenmuth IGA, ARA Vending at Frankenmuth Universal Tool & Die, the Montague Inn, and alongside Dennis beginning in 1984 when they acquired Sanitary Mattress Company in Saginaw.  But Gladys' true calling was as a devoted homemaker, wife, and mother.  Gladys was gifted at baking especially cookies, pies, butterhorns, and was particularly known for her homemade bread, which she baked each week following family traditions.

Gladys was very actively involved in her Lutheran church.  She and Dennis traveled extensively on numerous senior bus trips where together they created many friendships along the way.  She was active in the Gideon ministry with Dennis sharing God's Word throughout the world.  And she was always a fan and supporter of polka music.

In addition to her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, Gladys is survived by one younger sister, Lenchen (Don) Techentien and by sisters-in-law Deanna (Eugene) Frank, Marlene Kaul, Carleen Kaul, and Nancy Kaul as well as brothers-in-law Mel Ehrlinger and Kelly Ehrlinger.  Besides her parents, Gladys was preceded in death by brothers Ray and Fred Gugel; sisters Marie Bull, Ruth Ehrlinger, and Luella Ehrlinger; sisters-in-law Dorothy Gugel, and Leona Gugel; brothers-in-law Art Bull, Dalton Kaul, Tim Kaul, and Karl Kaul; and by her father- and mother-in-law Albert and Luella Kaul.

Dear, sweet Gladys was also loved by her many nieces and nephews, friends, neighbors, and fellow church members who will miss her dearly.

Gladys' funeral will take place on Monday, July 10 at Immanuel Lutheran Church at 11:00 a.m.  The family will receive visitors at Cederberg Funeral Home in Frankenmuth on Sunday, July 9 from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and again at the church preceding the funeral service beginning at 10:00 a.m.  Those wishing to express their sympathy may consider a memorial gift to Immanuel Lutheran Church & School or Gideons International in lieu of flowers.