Gwendoline Eleen Zischke, a resident of Greenhills Village, passed from this life on July 4, 2014. She was born August 6, 1911, in St. Louis, MI, a daughter of the late Pearl Diamond Wagner and Orlo J. Wagner.

She graduated from St. Louis High School, St. Louis, MI and attended Acme Business College in Lansing, MI. On November 3, 1933, she married Herman A. Zischke of Lansing, MI who died on July 4, 1991 after 57 years of marriage. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by one grandson, Charles Zischke, three sisters: Beatrice Leland, Evelyn Salvner and Melba Muhn. Her only brother, Harold Wagner, died in 2013, at age 104.

She is survived by three children: Walter L. Zischke (Bonnie) of Caldwell, ID; Richard A. Zischke (Jane) of Livonia, MI; and Donna F. Williams Hocking (Barry) of State College, with whom she resided for 18 years. She is also survived by one sister, Varian Leland of Kernersville, NC. Her grandchildren are: Michael Zischke, Kathleen Williams Pierce (David), Tina Heinze (Adam), Bryn Williams, Jonathan Zischke (Katherine), Laura Zischke and Caela Zischke. Her great-grandchildren are: Aaron Areia, A.J. Heinze, Aliana Zischke and Owen and Justin Zischke. She has numerous nieces and nephews.

When her children were in school, Gwen began a business career in Lansing, MI that culminated in her position as executive assistant to the president of the Michigan Farm Bureau. Following retirement and extensive traveling in the United States and Europe, she and her husband lived in Bellefonte and spent winter months in Largo, FL.

She was a member of Central Methodist Church in Lansing, MI for over forty years and a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church in State College since 1980. She was one of the original members of the Sunshine Circle and a volunteer at the former Centre Community Hospital.

In addition to traveling, Gwen was an avid bridge player and played well into spring of 2014, always asking her partners if they would play just one more hand. She had many other interests during her long life, starting and finishing a hand-made quilt in her 90s and making apple and cherry pies in her 100th year. She was never without a book and especially enjoyed reading biographies.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 13, 2014, at 4:00 pm, at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 250 E. College Avenue, State College, with The Reverend Eric Shafer officiating. A reception will immediately follow in the church social room.

Her cremains will be interred beside her husband in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Lansing, MI at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Association or the American Heart Association.

An online guest book can be signed or condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com