Adele E. Gast

Adele E. Fandrey Gast, 103, of Shawano passed away Sunday morning, Feb. 28, 2021, at the Cottages Assisted Living Center in Shawano where she had been a resident for the past five years. Adele was born Sept. 19, 1917, in the Town of Almon, Shawano County, a daughter of the late Herman and Anna (Bartelme) Hapke. She attended Regina Grade School and graduated with the first class of Bowler High School in 1937. She graduated with the first class from Antigo Normal School and began teaching elementary school in western Shawano County. On June 24, 1944, Adele was united in marriage to Edwin Fandrey at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bowler. Following their marriage, the couple moved to Shawano, and Adele became a member of St. James Lutheran Church. She served with the Ladies Aid for many years, and was their treasurer for a time. Adele worked at Steinhardts Cheese Company doing the farmers’ payroll, and in the retail store until the five factories were sold. She then worked clerical and retail at the J.A. Lieg Company, a men’s clothing and family shoe store in Shawano, until it closed in 1966. At that time, she went to work for Citizens State Bank (Associated Bank) until retiring in 1982. Edwin passed away on Oct. 2, 1980. Adele found love once again, and was married to Arnold Gast on Nov. 6, 1982, at St. James Lutheran Church. The couple then moved to Tilleda. Adele was an avid reader, loved walking in the woods, needlework, senior center bingo, the Brewers and Packers, playing cards and polka dancing with Arnie. They also enjoyed traveling and flying to Texas and Oregon. In 1999, Adele and Arnold sold their home in Tilleda and moved to an apartment in Shawano. Arnold passed away on Dec. 2, 2006. Survivors include her children, Luanne (Bob) Mueller, of Shawano, and Retta (Larry) Raddant, of Gresham; her stepson, Larry Gast, of Tilleda and Texas; grandchildren, Scott (Julie) Mueller, of Pembroke Pines, Florida, Mike (Bonnie) Mueller, of Clintonville, Lisa (Blair) Phifer, of Leesburg, Virginia, Lynette (Craig Stephani) Gueller, of Appleton, Lonnie (Rachel) Raddant, of Shawano, and Landon (Pamela) Raddant, of Gresham; great-grandchildren, Taylor (Mike) Murphy, Anna and Grace Mueller, Justin and Stephanie Mueller, Alex, Andy, and Emily Phifer, Trevor Gueller, Aliza, Gavin, Ian, and Asher Arnie Raddant; step-grandchildren, Todd and Troy Gast; and four godchildren. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Henry, Lorne and Rudy Hapke; her sisters, Emma Schenk, Edna Kolpack and Ann Helgeson; great-grandson, Christopher Mueller; and great-granddaughter, Rochelle Gueller. Funeral services for Adele were held on Thursday, March 4, 2021 at 11 a.m. at St. James Lutheran Church in Shawano. Pastor Mark Drengler officiated. Interment was in Woodlawn Cemetery. Mickelson Funeral and Cremation Service of Shawano is assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences at www.mickelsonfs.com. Special thanks to the Cottages, especially Molly and Danielle, and Southern Care Hospice for all of the comfort and love they gave Adele.