Gloria Valentine Kotzman's Obituary
Gloria Valentine Kotzman, 98, from Frontenac, KS died peacefully at 1:54 am on January 3, 2022 at her daughter's home surrounded by her family.
Gloria was born in Lakeland, Florida on March 19, 1923 to Effie L. Brust and George Hopkins
Pipkin.
She attended Griffin schools and graduated from Kathleen High School in 1940.
Always the adventurer, Gloria went to work in downtown Lakeland, first at Walgreens and then
The Wigwam, a local soda fountain/pharmacy. She then moved to Perry, Florida and worked at Western Union where she met her future husband, Kansas boy Jack Kotzman serving in the Army Airforce.
They were married in Perry on April 20, 1944. Moving back to Kansas in 1946, Frontenac has been her permanent home since.
Gloria is survived by 5 children: John (Beth) Kotzman, Betty Wutke (Steve), Kristie Knaup
(Kevin), Theresa Vanderhoofven (Larry), and Greg (Karen) Kotzman. There are also 19 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Jack who died in 1978, 2 sons Robert and Steve, granddaughter Kelli, her mother Effie Lampp, step-fatherLonnie, and sister Betty Goyen.
Gloria was beloved by all her family and many friends. She was a quiet soul, selfless, and loved
taking care of her family. She enjoyed going to the casinos, playing cards, dominoes, and BINGO.
Gloria had a green thumb nursing her plants and enjoyed sitting outside in the fresh air. She never liked the cold weather but considered Kansas her home, even though she was always a Southern girl at heart.
She has been cremated.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 am, Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at the Sacred Heart
Catholic Church with Father Josh Evans as celebrant. Inurnment will follow at the Mt. Carmel Cemetery.
The parish rosary will be recited prior to the Mass at 10 am at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Memorials may be made to the Sacred Heart Alter Society, Frontenac Meals on Wheels and/ or Frontenac Housing Authority. These may be left at or mailed to the Friskel Funeral Home, 230 E. McKay, Frontenac, KS 66763.
E-mail condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com Arrangements are by the Friskel Funeral Home.
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