Gloria Lagorin

Gloria was born on July 8,1932 to Esther and Olaf Anderson, in their farmhouse in Sidonia Township, next to Highway 50 outside of Kenmare. Gloria grew up with her sisters, Twila and Violet, helping her parents milk the cows and caring for the animals on the farm. Her family life included her Grandma and Grandpa Westby, who homesteaded close by. Gloria rode her horse to take the cows with the bull to water at 5 years old, and to her one-room country schoolhouse 2 1/2 miles from home at age 10. This country schoolhouse was further from home than the one that her younger sister Violet attended. Until Gloria rode her horse to school, she walked with her sister, Twila. Gloria told about wearing her little red snowsuit and rolling down the big snowbanks. In the 8th grade and at 14 years of age, Gloria moved to Kenmare to attend high school due to the harsh North Dakota winters. At first, she stayed with Vivian Peterson, who had lost her husband and had two young children. Gloria's parents later purchased a house for Twila and Gloria to live in while attending school.

Gloria and her younger sister Violet were often asked to sing and play piano for anniversaries and special events. Gloria sang and Violet played the piano. After high school, Gloria went on to get her 2-year teaching certificate, and she taught in a one-room schoolhouse, staying there alone to keep the school warm with the wood burning stove in the middle of the room. She did this so that her students would always have a warm school room when they arrived. After the one room schoolhouse, Gloria taught and roomed in Crosby for a few years with fellow teachers Anna Marie Husiers and Mary Ann Neubauer Haycox. Gloria cherished the teacups and saucers given to her by her students.

It was in Kenmare that she caught the eye of Morris Lagorin, whom she would marry in 1957. Gloria and Morris both saved individually for and together drew plans for the building of the home they would share in Kenmare. Gloria loved her kitchen, and she loved roses. She had three cherished rose bushes that were visible from her kitchen window. She loved to have the coffee group at her house, evidenced by the many sets of serving trays and coffee cups! Gloria was the ultimate hostess, inviting friends and relatives to meals, and serving treats and coffee to those who stopped by. Gloria was a good cook, but she also loved eating pizza at the Pizza Hub!

Gloria and Morris attended First Baptist Church for many years and were active members and supporters. Later they joined the Methodist church on the town square. They both thoroughly enjoyed bowling in various leagues. Gloria even bowled in the national women’s tournament when it was held in Tulsa in 2005. Gloria thought of others always and made sure she was present for her kids and grandkids, traveling to them as long as she was able, including to Japan. She was always looking for ways to encourage and to help, as well as to share the love of Jesus, the only real help in time of trouble.

Gloria was preceded in death by: her parents, Esther and Olaf Anderson, her husband, Morris Lagorin, her sister, Twila Drabus, her brother-in-law, Lawrence Drabus, and her niece, Julie Drabus. She is survived by: her sister Violet Bodmer (John) ; her children, Kathy Remmich (Rick), Wayne Lagorin (Lorri), Dianne Sigloh (Tim), and Cindy Lagorin; her grandchildren, Michael Remmich, Lacy Bowen (Trey), Taylor Lagorin (Gaby), Melissa Morgan (Aaron), Stacy Stoler (David), and Kristie Holmesly (Chris) ; and her great grandchildren: Aubrey Bowen, William Bowen, Lucas Lagorin, Kaden Morgan, Kaley Morgan, Destiny Stoler, David Stoler, Kingston Holmsley, Preslie Holmsley, and Lennox Holmsley.