Gloria Whalen

Whalen

Gloria G. “Tootie” Whalen

Nov. 13, 1934 – Jun. 19, 2019

Gloria G. (Tootie) Whalen, 84, of Rugby, ND formerly of York, ND passed away on Wednesday, June 19, 2019 at the Heart of America Care Center in Rugby, ND. Memorial Services were held at 2:00 PM Thursday, June 27, 2019 at the Leeds Lutheran Church in Leeds, ND with Pastor Elaine Sveet officiating. Visitation began one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial took place at the York Cemetery in

rural York, ND. Music was provided by Lucia Jacobson. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the York Cemetery Fund: P.O. Box 145 Leeds, ND 58346.

Gloria was born November 13, 1934 to Dirvin and Freda (Maute) Bowersox in rural Wolford, ND. She was educated in Pierce County and graduated from Wolford High School in 1952 as Salutatorian. Gloria was united in marriage to Simon (Sie) Whalen on June 30, 1952 at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Knox, ND. To this union, Gloria and Sie welcomed five children: Theresa, Steven, Danny, Carrie and Kelly.

Gloria helped Sie run the farm, raised her children and was very instrumental in raising her grandchildren. The couple farmed until retiring in 1984. Gloria also worked as a Home Health Care provider and enjoyed cooking for family and friends. After Sie passed away in 2007, Gloria continued to live in York, moving to the Haaland Home in Rugby in October 2011. She has resided at the Heart of America Care Center since September 2018.

After Gloria got married, she learned to speak German, and if put in front of a piano could play a song or two. She loved to garden and her meals were to die for. Her brownies and creme puffs turned her Grandchildren into thieves, forever ran-sacking the place to find the hiding spot for her goodies. She spent hours crocheting and was an avid reader. In her later years, she took up crosswords and word search

puzzles.

Gloria is survived by her children, Theresa (Lowell) Haagenson of Leeds, ND, Steven (Cindy Smith) Whalen of Leeds, ND, Danny (Diane) Whalen of York, ND and Carrie (Doug) Vallier of York, ND; grandchildren,

Lindsey (Jason) Albert, Leigh (Beth) Haagenson, Desiree (Clint) Melville, Jessie (Christy) Whalen, Kristen (Jeff) Jacobson, Dusty (Glenn) Nystrom, Kelsey (Josh) Siegler, Jason Vallier and Sadie (Jordan) Kleppen; numerous great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Simon (Sie) Whalen; son, Kelly Whalen; parents, Dirvin and Freda Bowersox; sisters, Jean (Ted) Straabe, Joyce (Harold) Jenssen, Patricia (Frank) Meyer

and Joan (Galen) Strand; brothers, Richard Bowersox and infant brother Jack; nephews, Mike Strand and Gary Meyer; Grandson, Dustin Vallier.

Online condolences may be left at www.thenelsonfuneralhome.com.

The Nelson Funeral Home of Leeds is in charge of the arrangements.