Gladys Paasche

Gladys Jane Paasche, née DeGraff, died peacefully at the age of 94 on May 13, 2026. We are rejoicing that she is now celebrating new life through Christ. Gladys was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on September 4, 1931 and lived in Grand Rapids for most of her life. She graduated in 1949 from Creston High School where she met her husband, Robert, and played flute in orchestra. She was a longtime member of Girls’ Club, a Creston High School group of friends who met monthly for over fifty years after graduation.

The heart of her family, she is survived by her five children, Barbara Wolz, Robert Jr. (Linda) Paasche, Cynthia Paasche, Lynette (John) Sigtema, and Mark (Sara) Paasche; nine grandchildren, Krista (Chris) Yiannias, Karen (Chad) Parmenter, Kim (Rob) Wolz-Swelgin, Tim (Elise) Paasche, Alyssa (Brian) Jewell, Laura (Peter) Pigorsh, Alan (Angela) Paasche, Leah (Mason) Jones, Hannah Paasche, and eleven great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, David and Janet Paasche, as well as her niece and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert Paasche Sr.; her parents, Richard and Marion DeGraff; and her siblings, Victor DeGraff, Jean DeGraff, and Joyce Shotwell.

Gladys (also known as Glady) loved people; through her steady kindness, she changed others’ lives for the better. Known for her good humor and wit, she was a beloved resident at Rest Haven Homes for three years and sang in the Grace and Glory choir. She also sang soprano in the choir and ensembles at Berean Baptist Church where she was a children’s Sunday school teacher and lifetime member. Glady practiced many interests and evolved as a talented seamstress, artist, and bird-watcher, having memorized the names of most backyard birds in elementary school. Glady kept many gardens throughout her yard and especially loved morning glories which framed the front porch of her home in shades of her favorite color, blue. She sewed clothes and baby blankets for family, friends, and for orphans in Bangladesh. Glady served as an example of how to love family; she took an active interest in their lives. She enjoyed assembling jigsaw puzzles with her husband, Bob, and reading stories to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She always welcomed her grandchildren to her home for sledding parties and hot chocolate as well as TV and popcorn time. She greeted company with a warm cup of tea. As an in-home nurse aide, she rose in high demand for her dedicated attention to her many patients. She loved children, the elderly, plants, and animals, especially cats. Her love for all beings great and small is evident in the many lives that have breathed easier because of her own.

Please join us in sharing more memories of Gladys on Wednesday, May 20, at Berean Baptist Church, 1574 Coit Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Visitation will be held at 10:00 AM prior to the funeral service at 11:00 AM. Interment will be at Rosedale Memorial Park. In memory of Gladys, please consider a donation to Berean Baptist Church or to Rest Haven Homes.