Gladys Thorsell Obituary

Gladys M. Thorsell

May 3, 1951 - July 25, 2025

Gladys M. Thorsell, age 74, went to meet the Lord on July 25, 2025. She was born on May 3, 1951, in Grand Island, Neb., to Clemence and Mary (Polacek) Waskowiak of Wood River, Neb. Gladys grew up on the family farm near Wood River. She and her sisters helped with farm family chores, which instilled a great work ethic. Gladys fulfilled her dream as a nurse by graduating from St. Francis School of Nursing in Grand Island, Neb. Besides her family, Gladys always felt her greatest contribution to society was her nursing.

On January 28, 1978, Gladys married Galen Thorsell of Chanute, Kan. Together they raised three children, Regan (Dustin) Holthaus, Wamego, Kan., Kristin Thorsell, Wamego, Kan., and Jon-Edward Thorsell, Washington, D.C. Gladys couldn't have been prouder of her three children and her three grandsons (Landon, Collin, and Jordan) who blessed her life.

Gladys is survived by her husband, Galen; sisters, Arlene (James M.) Rea, Lincoln, Neb., Linda (Edward) Braun, Cedar Rapids, Neb., Carol (Dean) Seamann, Spalding, Neb.; daughter, Regan (Dustin) Holthaus, Wamego, Kan.; daughter, Kristin Thorsell, Wamego, Kan.; son, Jon-Edward Thorsell, Washington, D.C; grandsons, Landon, Collin, and Jordan Holthaus all of Wamego, Kan.; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Gladys was preceded in death by her parents, Clemence and Mary Waskowiak; her grandson, Skyler Joseph Holthaus (stillborn); her brother-in-law, James M. Rea; and sister-in-law, Catherine Thorsell.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on August 5, 2025, at 2 p.m. at St. Bernard Catholic Church, with Fr. Mike Peterson officiating. Inurnment will follow at St. Bernard Catholic Cemetery.

Gladys requested memorials be donated to the Topeka Rescue Mission Ministries, Topeka, Kan., or St. Bernard Catholic Church, Wamego, Kan. Online donations to the Topeka Rescue Mission Ministries can be made at the following link: https://trmonline.givevirtuous.org/Donate. Please make checks payable to the charity of your choice, and they may be sent to Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home, P.O. Box 48, Wamego, KS, 66547.