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Gloria Marlene Vaaler, age 91, of Elgin, ND, passed away on Wednesday morning September 18, 2024 in West Bloomfield, Michigan.  Funeral services for Gloria will be held at 10:30 a.m. Mountain Time, Saturday, September 28, 2024 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Elgin, ND.  Pastor Joshua Yanke will officiate with burial to follow at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery.  A time of fellowship and luncheon will be held at the Elgin Community Center following the burial.

Gloria was born on February 20, 1933 on the Tibke farm north of Elgin North Dakota.  She was the second child of Edwin and Hazel (Markow) Tibke.  Gloria attended the local country school. Her first two years of High School she attended Northwestern Lutheran Academy in Mobridge South Dakota.  Her final two years of high school she attended Elgin High School where she graduated in 1951.  Shortly after high school Gloria moved to Bismarck and worked at the state capital as a secretary.

Gloria married Martin Vaaler from Kenmare North Dakota on September 2, 1956 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Elgin North Dakota.  Gloria and Martin where married 57 years when Martin died in 2014. They lived in Bismarck while her husband served on the Public Service Commission.  In May of 1960 their son Kurt was born.   In 1963 the family moved to Elgin and lived on the Tibke farm north of town where she was raised.  Gloria's focus was being a homemaker which included having a large garden.  In 1977 Gloria and Martin moved into Elgin.  That same year Gloria started working at Jacobson Memorial Hospital & Care Center.  She served as the Activities Director for the Care Center until she retired in 1998.

Gloria had a strong belief in serving others.  She was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Elgin for most of her life.  Over many years she was involved in several activities at the church including teaching Sunday school and Ladies Mission Society.  She was involved with many organizations over the years and held many officer positions in these organizations:

Antelope Homemakers over 30 years-President,   American Cancer Society- on the State Board and Executive Board for three years,  Elgin Library Board- Committee to open new library,  Grant County  Art Association,  Jacobson Memorial Hospital Auxiliary- President,  Elgin American Legion Auxiliary (50 years)- Secretary, President and District President,  Elgin PTA-President, Senior Meals, and assisting with hair styling at Dakota Hill Assisted Living.

Gloria was always the exceptional homemaker and loved to garden.  Later in life as the gardening became more difficult she turned her green thumb to flowers.  Most of all she loved serving as a volunteer at the local library.  It was her opportunity to see kids learning and most important their laughter.

Survivors are her son Kurt and wife Susan of Farmington Hills, MI., granddaughter Nicole Vaaler of West Allis WI. and her brother Norman Tibke of Bismarck, ND.  Step grandchildren Elliott Jiggens & Brittany and husband Brandon Catanzero, and step great grandchildren Hayden, Lacy, and Lilliana.

Gloria was preceded in death by her parents Edwin and Hazel Tibke, husband Martin, and brothers Delbert and Ronald Tibke.

Condolences may be sent and a live stream of the service viewed at: www.evansonjensenfuneralhome.com. Condolences can also be sent to: PO Box 444 Farmington, Michigan 48332.

Flowers are available from R Family Market in Elgin. 701-805-9193

Suggestions for Memorial Donations:  Great Plains Lutheran High School  1200 Luther Lane NE, Watertown,  SD  57201, Elgin Public Library 121 Main St. N., Elgin, ND  58533, and Dakota Hill Housing 606 Main St.  N., Elgin,  ND  58533.