Gladys M. (Ricke) Cogan, 89, of Oak Park Place, Dubuque, IA, formerly of East Dubuque, IL and Hazel Green, WI, passed away on Sunday, November 17, 2024, at Oak Park Place. She was a breast cancer survivor and Alzheimer’s warrior.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at St. Mary’s Church in East Dubuque, with Fr. Ediberto Jarapa officiating. The burial will be in the East Dubuque Cemetery.

Family and friends may call before mass from 9:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. on Saturday at St. Mary’s Church in East Dubuque.

Gladys was born on September 10, 1935 in East Dubuque, IL, the daughter of Alfred F. and Rosella A. (Hoftender) Ricke. She was a graduate of East Dubuque High School, the class of 1953. On May 29, 1954 she married the man of her dreams, Clarence R. Cogan, at St. Mary’s Church in East Dubuque. He preceded her in death on June 22, 1991.

Gladys and her husband were owners of C.G.’s Figurines & Crafts and Cogan’s Pumpkin Patch in rural Hazel Green. Additionally, they had businesses in the Dubuque Ice Harbor, were co-owners of Mississippi Fudge Factory and the Ben Franklin Crafts and Framing in Dubuque. She was a founding Gramercy Park board member, active on the East Dubuque Tourism Council, helped with the purchase of the Christmas Lights for the City, was a board member for the National HIA Crafts Association, volunteer at American Cancer Society Discovery Shop and was involved in the Iowa Council on Aging. As a member of St. Mary’s Church, she was an active participant in St. Mary’s Prayer Group.

Gladys was an excellent cook, played the organ, was an accomplished tournament bowler and loved to beat you at Euchre. Her creative side was shown in her businesses and in the classes that she taught over the years in molding and painting figurines, macramé, flower making, candle making, jewelry making, candy making, etc. Her talent shined in her hundreds of scenic canvas paintings done over the years. Her skills in the various craft fields were noted by many craft manufactures who hired her to demonstrate their products at national craft convention shows around the country.

Gladys also was a member of Dubuque Friendship Force and made dozens of trips traveling around the world with many close friends and family. She traveled to countries as close as Ireland, England, Iceland and Germany and as far as Russia, Turkey and China. Her favorite trips were to Australia and New Zealand.

Her family and friends were her greatest joy. She cherished camping with her loved ones on their lot in the Wisconsin Dells, took trips to adventure parks and organized many family celebrations.

Surviving are two daughters, Sherri (Jay) Verhorevoort of Davenport, IA and Mary (Steve) Larson of Traverse City, MI; two sons, Randy (Dawn) Cogan of East Dubuque, IL and Rick (Tammy) Cogan of Kieler, WI; 12 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Mary Lou Ricke of East Dubuque; and her special friend Jim Vandermillen.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Rosella Ricke; her husband, Clarence; two brothers, Gary and Roger Ricke; and a grandchild, Anton Verhorevoort.

The family wishes to thank the Oak Park staff and Hospice of Dubuque for their wonderful care. A special thanks to Dr. Kirkendall and his nurse, Kate, for their unwavering support and compassionate care over the years.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.millerfhed.com©