Gloria M. Draxler

Gloria M. Draxler, age 99.5, Park Falls, peacefully passed from this earth on Wednesday January 15th, 2025 at Park Manor Nursing Home in Park Falls, WI. She was born July 20th, 1925 in the Township of Emerald, St. Croix County. She was the daughter of Henry and Ida Elizabeth (Harer) Peters. 

She moved to the Northwoods as a young child and was a life long resident of the Park Falls area, graduating from Lincoln High School in 1944. She married Lawrence Hugo Draxler on July 11th, 1944 at Park Falls. Lawrence was in the military and she spent some time with him at his assigned military bases until he was deployed overseas when she came home to the Northwoods.

She soon discovered she had a knack for selling and became a very active Avon Lady. She also hosted Tupperware parties and sold Watkins. Helping her husband build up the Flambeau Paper Employees Credit Union in the basement of their home became a full time job and she was soon the Head Teller / Investment Officer. It quickly turned into the Park Falls Credit Union and moved to a larger site on South 9th Street. She worked there through many changes until her retirement.

Gloria and Lawrence enjoyed their years together traveling in their motor home to Arizona in the winter where she made many friends and learned several crafting techniques . She was a woman with a huge smile and contagious laugh, possessing many talents and interests including cooking and canning, making exceptionally beautiful beaded ornaments, knitting, flower beds, embroidery, sewing, crocheting, and collecting (glassware, recipe books, kitchen magnets, cardinals items, and Precious Moments figurines.) She especially enjoyed playing with the grandchildren. She loved little kids! She totally enjoyed playing cards and taught her children; plus all of the grandchildren several games. She was very competitive during most games but was known to “cheat” so the younger ones won.

She is survived by her son, Lawrence W. Draxler (Juliette M.) Draxler of Park Falls, five grandchildren, Lori M., Lawrence J.H., and Ethan W.T. Draxler, Vanessa and Adam (Amanda) LaRose. She is also survived by five great grandchildren, Seth and Ian Ciokiewicz, Lawrence Allen Draxler, Rebekah L. Schmidt, and Sophie LaRose, her son-in-law Bruce LaRose; plus, numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in deaths by her parents, her loving husband, Lawrence of 50 years, her beautiful daughter Bonnie, all ten of her siblings,(Ralph, Carl, Gladys, Bernice, Harris, Helen, Violet, Forrest, Junebelle, and Warren) all three brother-in-laws (Eugene, Wallace, Frank Draxler) and all of their spouses. She was also preceded by her special white toy poodle, Gee Bee.

A Memorial Gathering will be held on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at 11:00 am, at Heindl-Nimsgern Funeral Home in Phillips, WI. A Memorial Service will follow at 12:00 noon at the funeral home. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Gloria’s favorite Animal Rescue. Catkins Animal Rescue Inc. N15262 Oak Road, Park Falls, WI 54552