Gloria Mae Kellner, 89, died Sunday, February 6, 2022. She was born May 19, 1932, the second of six children, in Green Bay to Clifford and Marcella “Sally” (Maes) Beth.
After six long years she was reunited with our Dad, her one and only true love. In recent years, Gloria’s health declined, and she went to live with her daughter and son-in-law where she passed away peacefully. She loved to tell us how open the west side of Green Bay was-so many gardens and fields! Gloria was a graduate of Green Bay West High School, Class of 1950. She married R. Michael “Mike” Kellner on April 24, 1954, and together they moved to Killen, Texas for a short time while Mike was in the Army (who proudly served his country in the Korean War.) Upon returning to Green Bay, they lived in a few areas while growing their family. They finally purchased a home across the street from her parents where they raised six sons and one daughter. That doesn’t count kids who stayed with them throughout the years. Mom and dad were parents to so many friends of their kids who came to visit and became like family. Many of them still write and send cards; one in particular has sent our mom a note, pictures, or a gift every month. She loved getting mail from everyone and always said she needed to write them back long after she couldn’t write anymore. Gloria had special bonds with her granddaughter, Brittanie, and her grandson-in-law, Jamie. If she could have sat as close as possible with them every day, she would have been ecstatic. Gloria would light-up when either one of them would walk in.
In her early married life, Gloria stayed home to raise her children, but that doesn’t mean she wasn’t busy. She was a Cub Scout leader and helped all the boys earn their badges. Gloria loved to paint, do embroidery, and knit. She was always finding another craft for the family to do. So many weekends were spent out on their boat at Long Tail Island, taking car trips up to Michigan, to cabins in Glidden, or stock car races in Luxemburg-to name a few. Later, after the kids started moving away, Mike and Gloria would take to the road to go visit them for a week or two. One time they traveled to the Netherlands for a granddaughter’s graduation. Mom loved to garden, and even took a landscaping class with her son, Andy. Auctions, antique shops, and car shows were a favorite pastime of hers. Often, she would bring home treasures or a winning a trophy with their collector car “Pearl”.
Gloria spent decades assisting Mike with his duties with the American Legion. Together they attended many conventions representing American Legion Post and Unit #11. She was a Life Member of the American Legion Auxiliary #11. Gloria’s life spanned almost nine decades. She saw many changes, most of which she approved of-except for those “darned round-abouts!”. Most importantly, she lived long enough to enjoy being with five generations of her family. We will miss her smile, her happy feet just itching to dance, but we are comforted knowing she has returned to her true love once again as he is bending over to hold her in his arms.
Gloria is survived by her five children, Gwen (Dan) Green, Rick (Shelly) Kellner, Rob Kellner, Andy (Jean) Kellner, C.J. (Theresa) Kellner; twenty grandchildren, Angela (Jamie), Danny, Larry (Susan), Christina, Earl (Kim), Amanda (Steve), Zachary, Mackenzie, Emily, Jordan, Jozef (Karin), Katrina, Joe, Haley, Corey, Craig, Nathan, Sarah, Brittanie, Noelle; twenty great-grandchildren, Victoria (Kevin), Luke, Haley, Avery, Ashton, SunNya, Soline (Carlos), Lia, Ayanna, Austin, Justice (Gnat), Owen, Campbell, Hunter, Layne, Wyatt, Freya, Aviannah, Nevaeh, and Kylah; 5 great-great-grandchildren, Preston, Beckett, Josephine, NyaraSun, JaeSun, (and two more due in June); two sisters, Marilyn “Toots” Engebos and Doreen “Dee-Dee” (Larry) LePlant; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband R. Michael Kellner, sons, Michael “Mic” Kellner and Brian Kellner; her grandsons, Matthew Kellner and Cody Green; one brother, two sisters, two sisters-in-law, and one brother-in-law.
Friends may call at Proko-Wall Funeral Home, 1630 E. Mason Street, on Friday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. At 6:45 p.m. an American Legion Memorial Service will be held with the American Legion Auxiliary #11, and a Parish Wake Service will follow at 7:00 p.m. Friends may also call at the funeral home on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home with Sue Costello officiating. Burial will be in the Field of Honor at Fort Howard Memorial Park at a later date.
We would like to thank all of the nurses and family support staff of Unity Hospice for their care and compassion. Your presence and kind assurances meant more than you’ll ever know.