Malone Sausage founder Glorious Malone passes

Glorious Malone, the first woman in Wisconsin to be licensed with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and among the first nationally, passed away Tuesday Morning after an extended battle with pancreatic cancer.

Malone was CEO of Malone’s Fine Sausage, a manufacturer and distributor of a specialty meat, called headcheese, which is widely regarded as the premium brand for this down-home delicacy.

Malone, originally from Hammond, Louisiana, moved to Milwaukee in the mid-40s. After high school, she worked for many years at Veteran’s Hospital as a nurse’s aide. Malone started her sausage business from the back of a family store she and her late husband, George, were running during the ’60s.

After her husband’s death, Malone continued to operate the store and make their headcheese. By the mid-70s, her customer base had expanded beyond their neighborhood.

Malone found out just how popular the recipe had become when she received a visit from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture in the early ’70s.

“People were serving and re-selling our product in other stores and taverns across the city and even as far south as Chicago,” remembers Malone’s oldest child, Daphne Jones.

Jones, as well as Malone’s other adult children, Denise Malone and Derek Malone, have contributed to the operations of the business as one point or another since they were kids.

In fact, Derek served as a primary salesman for many years. Jones assumed day-to-day operations last summer, when Malone’s health ultimately began to fail. Jones became the company president in October and will continue to lead the company.

Malone’s sausage business had become an enterprise in and of itself by the mid-80s.

Having secured certification with state and federal agricultural offices and purchasing a dedicated production site on 17th and Center, Malone was selling her now famous headcheese to corner stores and grocery chains throughout the Midwest.

In 1995, Malone expanded her business, once again, to historic King Drive. With support from the city of Milwaukee, Small Business Association and M&I Bank, Malone erected a 12,000 square-foot production plant at 300 West Walnut. For Malone, the $1.2 million building represents both the global future for her business and preserving the family legacy.

“I hope I can be an inspiration to young people who want to go into business,” Malone said in a 1995 interview.

“You’re going to have problems, but you can’t lose sight of your dreams.”

A memorial service for Malone will be held Friday, March 9 at 1 p.m. at St. Phillips Lutheran Church, 3012 North Holton Street.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made in her name to Chase’s Gift, a memorial fund of Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin established after the loss of her great-grandson to educate the community about organ donation.

Malone’s body has been donated to science.

Malone is survived by five siblings, three children, eight grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and countless nieces, nephews and close family friends.