Gloria Kristine Nitz

Gloria Kristine (Glover) Nitz
Gloria went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Wednesday, August 20, 2014.

Born to Irma A. Sonntag and Russell B. Glover September 8th, 1946 in Saginaw, Michigan.

Gloria grew up in Saginaw; attended Peace Lutheran School and graduated in 1965 from Arthur Hill High School in Saginaw, Michigan.
Her college degrees include a Bachelor of Arts – Elementary Teaching from Concordia College in River Forest, Illinois in 1968. Also, a Master of Arts – Early Childhood Development from Western Michigan University in 1990.

After college, she taught kindergarten for 6 years at St. Rose Catholic School. She then taught Kindergarten at Northeastern School for 31 years until retirement in 2009.

Gloria married her high school sweetheart, Wade and they have been married 45 years.
They are so very proud of their 3 children, Melissa K. Schwartz ( Terry) Belle Plaine, MN. Marc W. Nitz (Lindsay) Byron Center, Mi. and Michael W. Nitz Royal Oak, Mi. They have 4 wonderful grandchildren. Jack C. Schwartz, Janie E. Schwartz, Taylor R. Nitz and Tanner W. Nitz. Her husband, children and grandchildren were of the highest importance in her life. She devoted her life to her family and made everyone's life special with her energy and exuberance. Gloria was energetic beyond most everyone
and all that she strived to accomplish in her life was purposed to help others. She tried to make every day count for others when her just being there brightened everyone's day.
Gloria was an accomplished seamstress and could sew just about anything; a talent she learned from her grandmother, Alma Glover, a professional seamstress. A dear Aunt Margaret Glover was a special person to her and also guided her throughout her life and predeceased her.

She is also survived by her sister, Sally A. Palmer (Marti) Holland, Mi.

She is also survived by a wonderful group of close friends who unwaveringly supported her during her life and battle.

Gloria devoted her life to her faith, children, grandchildren and family. Each school class was a part of her family. She believed each child was a gift from God and spent untold hours assuring each little kindergarten child in her class room was given the best start in life. Gloria was invited many times to her former Kindergarten students' high school graduation celebrations as their special teacher in their lives.
She volunteered in many organizations to make children's and someone else's life better as a Camp Fire leader, library volunteer, nursery school leader, church mission trips to Costa Rica, hospital guild and tutor. She served on many church committees, was a Deacon, directed the children's choir and sang in the church choir.
Wade and Gloria spent many of their summers enjoying their summer Lake Home in Ludington and winters in the Bahamas on the beach. They enjoyed traveling to many States and National Parks, Florida, Hilton Head Island, Skiing in Colorado, Spain, Italy and Alaska. Gloria enjoyed working for many years at Hudson's, then Macy's Department store in Grand Rapids.

Gloria was passionate and devoted in everything she did in teaching school, at home with her family and grandchildren and in life. Her family was her focus in life and meant everything to her. She was a true, Supermom and Grandmother Extraordinaire.
She has left a great unfilled void in both her family's lives and others that were fortunate enough to know her and an empty space that can never be filled.

Memorials in Gloria's memory may be made to the Hastings Educational Enrichment Foundation.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 24, 2014 at the First Presbyterian Church, 405 N. M-37 Hwy., Hastings, MI from 4pm until
7pm. A second visitation will be held on Monday, August 25, 2014 from 9:30 am until 11:00 am. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 am
at the First Presbyterian Church. Interment will follow the funeral service at Riverside Cemetery.