Glendon (Glen) Charles Ward

Glendon (Glen) Charles Ward, age 88, of Green Bay, Wisconsin, died at home on Saturday morning, November 16, 2024, surrounded by loved ones.

Glen was born on August 27, 1936, on the family farm in the Township of Lessor in Shawano County Wisconsin, to Rose Ann Buchberger and Joel Vanuel Ward. Glen was the fourth child in a family of 15 children.

Glen attended Elm Lawn grade school and Seymour High School graduating in 1954. After high school, Glen joined the US Army and served overseas in Korea. When he returned home, Glen began working as an agent for North Central Airlines in Green Bay, where he met his future wife, Yvonne, and where he worked until his retirement in 1999.

On June 10, 1961 he and Yvonne married at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Halder, WI. Glen and Yvonne raised their family of three children on the west side of Green Bay. 

In 1988, Glen underwent quintuple bypass surgery at age 51. After this surgery, Glen changed his lifestyle with the help of Yvonne—quitting smoking, committing to an exercise routine, and changing his diet. Glen was able to enjoy life for over 35 years after his bypass surgery, which was a gift to his family and friends, who were told he would have 10 years to live in 1988.

Glen loved the outdoors, and he looked forward to the annual Wisconsin deer hunt. He was an excellent marksman and rarely came home empty-handed. His love of deer hunting including processing his own venison and sharing the harvest with his family and friends.

He made an annual fishing trip to Ontario, Canada, visiting over 40 times throughout his life, and for the final time in May 2023. Glen looked forward to his fishing trip every year, with meticulous planning and preparation. He made meals in advance for the group, and he was known to always have bondukis, chili, and cookies ready for the fishing crew. He shared his love fishing with many friends and family.

Glen was a proud Green Bay Packers fan and season ticket holder. He loved to watch and talk about the Packers, and he took pride in living just blocks away from Lambeau Field. Glen was encyclopedic about Packer history, and he loved seeing how Titletown grew and changed over the many years that he lived there. He also enjoyed watching Brewers baseball games in the Packer offseason.

In retirement, Glen and Yvonne enjoyed traveling. They visited over 25 countries as well as all 50 states. They made many road trips to see family and friends across the county. Glen also enjoyed reading and was always up to date on the latest John Grisham books. In the evenings, when he wasn’t reading a book or watching the Packers, he could be found watching old Western movies in his beloved sunroom.

He and Yvonne tended to multiple vegetable and flower gardens at their home. Glen loved to pick berries and cherries, and to him it was a competitive sport! He made many jars of jams each summer, which he loved to share with family and friends.

If you knew Glen, you knew he was a skilled handyman. From building decks to installing floors, he was always willing to lend a hand to help others with their projects. Glen had an eye for precision, and any project done by him would be done to the highest standard. His attention to detail was unmatched. When planning holidays or special meals, there would always be one of Glen’s signature lists, in perfect penmanship, that detailed the day’s plans.

Volunteering was an important part of Glen’s life. He supported many causes, including Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin, the Democratic Party of Brown County, and St. John’s Homeless Shelter. Glen and Yvonne volunteered in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and were involved with the Swan House for many years.

Glen will be dearly missed by all who knew him. Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Yvonne; children: Michele (Timothy Gjertson), James (Angela), and Paul (Sheri); 6 grandchildren: Hannah Gjertson, Maxwell Gjertson, Carter Ward, Logan Ward, Siena Ward, and Sydney Ward. 

Glen is further survived by his brother and sisters:  Nancy Piccolo, Joan Abel, Mina  Landsverk, Dan (Cindy) Ward, Anita (Ray) Theobald, and Lisa Ward; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Joyce Heim, Colleen Ward, June Baur, and Paul (Carol) Hawkins, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

Preceding him in death are his parents; his father-in-law and mother-in-law: Leo and Frances (Martin) Baur; brothers and sisters:  Janice (Kenneth) Trettin, Ivan “Bud” Ward, David Ward, Carl (Luella) Ward, William Ward, Mary (Samuel) Rettler, Pat Ward, and Debbie (Bill) Dicke; brothers in law:  Domenico Piccolo, Robert Abel, and Bruce Landsverk.

In addition, he is preceded by his wife's brothers, sister and their spouses:  Leo Baur, Merlin (Dolores) Baur, Neil (Margaret) Baur, Glorianne (James) Palm, and Charles (Bette) Baur as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

Family and friends are invited to join for a visitation on Sunday, December 22, 2024, starting at 12:00 pm at Lyndahl Funeral Home, 1350 Lombardi Avenue, Green Bay. The visitation will be followed by a brief service at 2:30 pm. Cremation and burial at Elm Lawn Cemetery in Shawano County, will take place at a later date.

Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.lyndahl.com

The Lyndahl Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the Ward family with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family for distribution to Glen’s favorite charities in his honor.