Gloria Olive Evenson Hess was born May 18, 1929, to Oscar Evenson and Ruth Knudson 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 began 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, Tveits, 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 90th 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 Oct. 20, 2022. Gloria is survived by her son Bruce Hess, his son Erik and his wife Samantha, and Emily Hess, Bruce's daughter. Also surviving Gloria are her son Scott and his wife, Jeri, their daughter, Megan Aguilar and her husband, Pedro, and their son Noah, and Jordan Hess, Scott's son. 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 1 p.m. on Oct. 29, 2022, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Centralia, Washington.
