Gloria Stevens, July 31, 1936 • June 5, 2023
Gloria Stevens, 86, of Bird Island, Minnesota passed away peacefully Monday, June 5, 2023 at the Buffalo Lake Healthcare Center. A funeral service will be Friday, June 9 at 10 a.m. at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Bird Island with Pastor Dan Croonquist officiating. Visitation will be Thursday, June 8, from 5 to 7 p.m. and will continue one hour prior to the service Friday, all at the church.
Gloria Jane Hunder was born July 31, 1936 to John and Gena (Oyen) Hunder on the family farm in Langhei, Township of Pope County. She was baptized and confirmed at Lake Hazel Lutheran Church in rural Benson. Gloria attended country school and graduated from Benson High School in 1954. Following graduation, she worked at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar as a secretary and switchboard operator until 1958.
At a candlelight service June 21, 1958, Gloria was united in marriage to Marvin Stevens at Lake Hazel Lutheran Church. In 1959, they settled in Bird Island and were blessed with four sons. They owned and operated the Electric Motor Company that Gloria did the bookkeeping for. She was a member of the Our Savior Lutheran Church in Bird Island where she was active in the WELCA and other social committees, as well as a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Gloria loved all family time, whether it was spent having tea parties with grandchildren, hosting at the family cabin on Lake Elizabeth, or holidays that were filled with baking, especially Lefsa and Krumkake. She enjoyed keeping up with many friends and family through letters, gatherings, and coffee parties. Following Marv’s death in 1996, Gloria found companionship with Gary Marti; they enjoyed spending time together and traveling. She had a love of cats, gardening, garage sales and going to the casino. Gloria will be remembered for her thoughtfulness, kind heart, and homemade chocolate chip cookies.
Gloria is survived by her four sons: Kevin (and Jill) Stevens, Gary (and Linda) Stevens, Allen (and Terri) Stevens, and Scott Stevens; her grandchildren: Kajda (and Andy) Downs, Kajsey Stevens (and special friend, Kelly Thompson), Jakson (and Tracy) Stevens, Andy Stevens, Jacob Stevens, and Hunter Stevens; her step-granddaughter, Jackie (and Brandon) Bachtle; her great-grandchildren: MaryAnn, Augustine, and Blaise Downs, Selah Stevens, and Cressidah Stevens; her special friend, Gary Marti; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Gloria was preceded in death by her parents; parents-in-law, Ralph and Gertie Stevens; husband, Marv; great-grandson, Jonah Downs; step-grandson, Tony Tebben; sister, Dorothy (and Howard) Watkins; brother-in-law, Vernon Stevens; and sister-in-law, Ardis (and Paul) Saue.
Blessed Be Her Memory
Arrangements are by Dirks-Blem Funeral Service of Olivia.
