Obit: Gluck, Al (Emil) (1932 - 2015)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Gluck, Milewski, Elohim, Lenfant, Kollwitz,

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 4/08/2015

Gluck, Al (Emil) (12 January 1932 - 29 March 2015)

Al (Emil) Gluck, 83, of Menomonie, passed away on Sunday, March 29, 2015, at Mayo Hospital in Eau Claire from numerous health issues. He was born on January 12, 1932, in Matezsalka, Hungary, and immigrated to the United States with his parents in 1938. He lived in the Bronx, New York City, until joining the Army in 1951, where he was stationed in Germany with the Army/Air Force division for water supply projects.

He began his business career in the drapery fabric wholesale sector, working for several large fabric companies, including Chicago Branch Manager and Vice President of Fabricut Fabrics. While in the Chicago area, he met and married Joanne Milewski of Thorp, Wisconsin, in 1976, and together they moved to Barron, Wisconsin, and ran the Barron Greenhouse. Their expansion included the Menomonie Floral and Gift shop, Eau Claire Floral and Chippewa Falls Floral. Upon moving to Menomonie in 1984, he started his apartment property management company, A & J Management. He had several other business interests throughout the years, from resorts to shopping mall.

He was a Board Member of the UW-Stout Foundation, a student exchange program director with Rotary International, Main Street organizational member, and was involved in several other clubs and activities.

Al enjoyed his retirement home in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, as often as he could. He so enjoyed the comradeship of all his golf buddies and social friends. He always felt so lucky to have traveled the world, and newspapers, internet, and socializing with friends and family. His special joy was his yearly winter vacation in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

He will be sadly missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Joanne; his son, Joel (Sandra) Gluck, San Rafael, CA; daughter, Joy Elohim, Ashland, OR; granddaughters: Lauren Gluck, Chattanooga, TN, and Cara Gluck, San Rafael, CA; and his niece Rita (Kevin) Lenfant, Menomonie; great-nephew, Jeff (Heather) Lenfant, Menomonie; great-nephew, Marc Lenfant, Chippewa Falls; great0niece, Amanda (Paul) Kollwitz, New Auburn; and his joy, the great-great nephews and nieces; Zach, Emma, Easton, Jett, Lincoln and Livia. ‘Uncle Al’ was a big presence in his family’s life and will be sadly missed, but remembered with love.

He is preceded in death by his parents: Geza and Freda Gluck; and his brother, Andrew Gluck.

Funeral services were at 10:30 a.m. Friday April 3, 2015, at Rhiel Funeral Home in Menomonie. Visitation was held from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Rhiel Funeral Home and an hour prior to services at the funeral home on Friday.

Online condolences may be made at www.rhielfuneralhome.com.  The Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Menomonie is serving the family.