Gladys Mae Hartzler, age 84 of Sidney, NE went to be with the Lord and her angels in the early morning hours of November 6th, 2024. Services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Monday November 11, 2024 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Brenda Pfiefly officiating. Burial will take place in the Greenwood Cemetery on Tuesday November 12, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. Friends may stop by the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel from 4-6:00 P.M. on Sunday, November 10, 2024 to leave their condolences, the family will be present from 4-6:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers please donate to the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church or St. Jude’s Research Hospital. Services will be livestreamed on the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel Facebook page and recorded for later viewing on our website. You may view Gladys’ Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at www.gehrigstittchapel.com.

  Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of Gladys’ care and funeral arrangements.

      Gladys was born to Minnie and Armin Onken at home on their farm on April 11, 1940, in Lodgepole, NE. She was the 2nd child of 5 and grew up in Lodgepole and had a busy childhood and youth. She started cleaning houses and babysitting in 8th grade. Later, in high school, she worked as a carhop at “Zesto’s” and then as a telephone operator when she was 18. She also worked at her parent’s gas station and restaurant, “Onken’s Gas Station and “Chicken in a Basket” waiting tables and doing dishes. In addition, she worked at JCPenney’s and Montgomery Wards.

       She met Mike Hartzler in 1959 while “dragging main”, and they later married. She and Mike carried on the family business “Hartzler Plumbing & Heating” in Sidney, and she helped support the business by doing the books. Gladys and dear friend Judy Bayne helped start the Fireman’s Auxiliary and were very active in that organization, attending many fireman’s balls, tournaments, and conventions over the years. Her and Mike went on to have five children, four boys and finally her one girl, whom they raised in Sidney. They supported all the kids’ many activities and enjoyed watching them play football, baseball, softball, volleyball, basketball, track, and wrestling over the years. Gladys loved crossword puzzles and gambling.

   Through the years she went on many road trips with her close friend Dixie Thompson. She was also an avid reader, and most nights you could find her curled up in bed with her favorite romance novel. Later in life, she worked for Cabela’s in Sidney, NE. and ended her career there after 20 years of loyal service. Gladys spent many fun evenings with Mike at softball games, and they were also active in the local bowling league. She also spent many fun summer weekends at the lake with Jodene Hardy and other close life-long friends.

   She is survived by her son Brad Hartzler of Bedford, TX., son Steve & Angela Hartzler of Sidney, NE., daughter Traci & Larry Brachtenbach of Casper, WY, daughter in law’s Mickie Hartzler of Sidney, NE and Lori Hartzler of North Richland Hills, TX., sister Connie Benzel of Sidney, sister’s-in- law Sharon Onken of Greeley, CO. and Phyllis Willis of Lonetree, CO., 8 Grandchildren, 9 Great Grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and long-time friends.

    Gladys is preceded in death by her parents Minnie & Armin Onken, mother and father-in-law Helen and Shorty Hartzler, loving husband Mike Hartzler Sr., son Alan Hartzler, son Mike Hartzler Jr., grandson Marcus Hartzler, brother Ken Onken & wife Norma, brother Keith Onken, and sister Sharon Bayne.

   Gladys was a spiritual, soft-spoken, hard-working, dedicated mother, wife, sister, aunt, grandma, and friend. Her greatest joy in life was her family. She was deeply loved and will be dearly missed by all who knew her.