RACINE – Gladys L. Franco, nee, Lehmann, 96, passed away at Wheaton Franciscan All Saints on Wednesday, July 30, 2014.Gladys was born on June 8, 1918 in Watertown, WI, the daughter of the late Bernard and Frieda (nee, Birkholz) Lehmann. She received the major part of her education at the Wisconsin School for the Visually Handicapped at Janesville. In 1941 she was employed at the Webster Electric Company in Racine and worked there until October of 1946.Gladys married John J. Franco of Kenosha on October 26, 1946. They made their home in Racine where John was employed at the John Oster Manufacturing Company. In July 1964 they moved to Madison where John was a part owner and operator of the Hill Farms Coffee Shop in the Hill Farms State Office Building. In 1985 John retired and they moved back to Racine. John passed away May 7, 1996.Gladys was an active member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Racine, a member of the Alumni Association of the Wisconsin School for the Visually Handicapped, an honorary member of the Badger Association of the Blind in Milwaukee, and a longtime member of the Midwest Association of the Blind of Wisconsin.Gladys will be remembered for her wonderful caring, uplifting spirit, very positive approach to life and her undying faith in her precious Lord and Savior.Survivors include nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her sisters, Mildred Vandre and Jeanette Behling.Funeral services for Gladys will be held at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 725 High Street, on Monday, August 4, 2014 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Jane Fryda officiating. Entombment will take place at West Lawn Memorial Park. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the church on Monday morning from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m.