Lloyd Gleason

MADISON - Lloyd Leslie Gleason, age 92, died on Sunday, October 20, 2013 at Oakwood Village East Health and Rehabilitation Nursing Home in Madison. He was born on January 16, 1921, in Madison, Wisconsin at home, the only child and son of Jesse and Mary (Blizard) Gleason. Lloyd attended Lapham (K-6), Lincoln (7-8) grade schools in Madison. Lloyd graduated from Madison East High School in 1939. Lloyd was united in marriage to Marilynn Baken on June 25, 1940 in Decorah IA. He worked for a gas station on Regent St and Bancroft Dairy on Park St. When World War II broke out it was necessary for most everyone to get into some type of defense work. He went to school for Northwest Airlines. Upon graduation he worked for Northwest Airlines in Minneapolis as an aircraft mechanic for the war effort. He was then transferred to Ohio for experimental aircraft work. In 1943 Lloyd was drafted into service in the Army Air Corp, Air Transport Command, after attending school in California. He was crew on C47's transporting critical hospital patients and cargo, making numerous classified trips. He was stationed in the US, but the trips took him around the world. After the war and his discharge in 1945, Lloyd wanted to go back to Northwest Airlines but housing was not available for his family. He then returned to Madison and worked for Watum Oil, then started a career with Madison Gas and Electric Co. Lloyd retired from Madison Gas Electric in 1983 after 35 years as a service technician, serving South Madison, Oregon, Mt. Horeb and Mazomanie. Lloyd and Marilynn spent many wonderful years traveling around the country in their Airstream trailers and RVs with their many friends in the Wally Byam Caravan Club International. They belonged to that for 35 years and experienced many unforgettable rallies, social activities and friendships. After retirement they enjoyed 18 years of winter living in resorts in southern states. After they sold their home in Madison, they moved into Independent Living as the first residents of Oakwood Village East in Madison where again they formed a new family of lasting friendships. Lloyd and Marilynn were members of Bethel Lutheran Church for many years and then Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in 2010. Lloyd was preceded in death by his parents, wife Marilynn and daughter Janice Twito.
He is survived by a son, Lloyd T. Gleason and 2 daughters, Marcia (Gleason) (Alden) Bahr and Barbara (Gleason) Troedel, all of Madison; 6 grandchildren: Jim (Shawna) Gleason of Ft. Atkinson, David Bahr (Monique Costello) of Chicago, Jeff Twito of Madison, Lori Gleason (Matt Blake) of Deforest, Brian (Cindy)Bahr of Sun Prairie and Stephanie (Twito) (Cary) Ralston of Evansville; 4 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, October 24, 2013 at 10:30am in the Oakwood East Tree of Life Chapel, 5565 Tancho Dr., Madison, WI. 53718, with Chaplain Byron Bunge officiating. Visiitation will be held from 9:30am until the time of service. Memorials may be given to Oakwood East Foundation. Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park.
The family would like to thank Agrace Hospice and all the wonderful caring staff at Oakwood Village East Health and Rehab Center in Madison. We would also like to thank all the care dogs and their owners/handlers for the unforgettable service, comfort, and love they provided during the last three years.
Lloyd will be remembered for his love and devotion to family.