Gloria Olive Hess

Evenson on a farm in Minnesota near Bejou. Gloria had five siblings: Bradley,

Jeanette, Corrine, Ronald and Irene. She remained close to them all of her life. Gloria

was an excellent student and graduated from high school early at the age of 16. She

went to college for a year and then begin her long teaching career at the age of 17 in

Ottertail, Minnesota.

Gloria moved to Montana for a teaching opportunity in Sidney near where her brother

farmed. There she met Dale Hess, also a teacher. They were married in 1952. Their

son, Scott was born in Sidney. They then moved to Poplar, Montana. During that time,

their son, Bruce was born. Gloria and Dale taught in Poplar for seven years.

In 1962, the young family moved to Centralia, Washington, where both Gloria and Dale

would teach for the duration of their careers. The family attended Immanuel Lutheran

Church beginning that year. Gloria attended Immanuel from 1962 until 2022, over 60

years in all. Both sons graduated from Centralia High School. Gloria and Dale loved

to travel, having many campers, travel trailers, and motorhomes over the years. They

took their sons to visit almost all of the 50 states.

Grandchildren began arriving in 1986. Scott and his wife Jeri were blessed with Megan

and Jordan. Bruce and his wife Lori were blessed with Erik and Emily. Gloria and Dale

doted on their grandchildren, taking them on trips and caring for them many weekends.

Gloria and Dale retired when grandchildren arrived, bought a winter home in Mesa,

Arizona, and moved to Stillwater Estates in Centralia. Dale passed away in 1998, and

Gloria eventually moved to Colonial Estates, an assisted living residence in 2015.

Gloria made new friends at every stage of her life. In Centralia, Gloria and Dale made

close friends with a group who socialized and traveled together for years, nicknamed

the MOTHS (Millers, Madsens, Olsons, Tviets, Hesses and Sielers). At Colonial

Residence, Gloria also made many good friends and continued to enjoy visits from old

friends and loving family. She celebrated every holiday with her boys’ families. Gloria

traveled to Minnesota for her 90 the birthday in 2019, and to the big Hess family

reunion in South Dakota just this year.

Gloria had treasured visits from friends during her last weeks, and even until her last

day. She loved to visit and remained clear and conversant until her death on October

20th, 2022. Gloria is survived by her son Bruce Hess and his son Erik and his wife

Samantha, and Emily Hess. Also surviving Gloria are her son Scott and his wife, Jeri,

Megan Aguilar and her husband, Pedro, and their son Noah, and Jordan Hess. Gloria is

also survived by her sisters, Corrine Persson and Irene Hundtofte and many nieces and

nephews. Gloria recently typed her own life story which ended with “Thanks be to God

for a wonderful life.”

Gloria’s life will be celebrated at a memorial service at Immanuel Lutheran Church in

Centralia, Washington on October 29th at 1:00 p.m.