Obituary: Gloria Gigstad

Gloria Lou Beverly (Simonson) Gigstad, 84, of Maddock, N.D., passed away May 18, 2020 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks. Funeral Services were held Friday, May 22 at 2 p.m. at North Viking Lutheran Church in Maddock. Pastor Doug Stave officiated, with burial services following at North Viking Lutheran Cemetery. Music was provided by Joann Bergrud, Chelsea Stika and Shannon Burgard. Casket bearers will be all of Gloria's grandchildren and honorary casket bearers will be all of Gloria's great-grandchildren.

Gloria was born April 6, 1936 to Clarence and Janet (Baarlie) Simonson at their home in rural Hamberg, N.D. The family lived near Maddock until moving to Everett, Wash., in 1941. The family returned to the Maddock area in 1945. Gloria was united in marriage to Lawrence Ardell Gigstad on Nov. 28, 1952 at the Maddock Parsonage. The couple resided on the family farmstead where they grew crops and raised cattle until 2006 when they moved into Maddock.

Gloria was a longtime member of North Viking Lutheran Church and WELCA. Gloria and Ardell were also members of Farmers Union, Elks, and Eagles. They worked together on the family farm raising beef and dairy cattle and grew mostly small grain crops. Gloria was employed throughout her years at the Hunter Café and Barber Shop, in Maddock, Great Northern Motel, in Devils Lake, N.D., Maddock Café and Lanes, Haukness Clothing store (a.k.a Johnson's Clothing and Maddock Clothing) and at Hopper Topper, in Flora, N.D., where she designed and sewed heavy duty coverings for farm equipment, upholstery and awnings.

Gloria had many unique talents and hobbies. She was noted for her green thumb and always had large vegetable and multiple flower gardens and planters. She was a very talented seamstress, sewing adult and children's clothing, quilts and throw pillows. She spent hours crocheting afghans, tablecloths, doilies and doll clothes. Each year she strived to make personalized handmade gifts for each family member. Other hobbies included bowling and horseback riding. One of Gloria's favorite past times in her later years was camping at Devils Lake with her family.

Gloria is survived by daughters: Judy (Paul) Kallenbach of Maddock, Vicky (Don) Ystaas of Sheyenne, Karen (Lloyd) Burgard of Grand Forks and son: Kevin (Janine) Gigstad of Maddock; 13 grandchildren: Becky (Chris) Sanders, Brook (Eric) Olson, Erica (Travis) Hoffner, Chad (Carli) Ystaas, Melissa (Daniel) Melaas, Justin (Liza) Ystaas, Lacey Meyer, Melissa (Rick) Burgard-Foster, Chelsea (Tanner) Stika, Shannon Burgard, Dylan, Alexis and Logan Gigstad; 20 great grandchildren: Riley and Piper Sanders, Kinsey and Connor Olson, Bennett, Wesley, and Brantley Hoffner, Chasyn and Codyn Ystaas, Cade, McKenna and Jaya Melaas, Kaelyn, Casey and Jace Ystaas, Kashton, Brielle and Aria Meyer, Robert and Angelina Foster; two brothers: James (Mary) Simonson and Charles Simonson.

Gloria was preceded in death by her husband: Lawrence Ardell Gigstad; her parents: Clarence Simonson and Janet Sanchez; two brothers: Clarence and Gerald Simonson; two sisters: Carol Lara and Laurel Rasho; grandson: John Michael Gigstad and great-granddaughter Gracie Ystaas.

Online condolences may be left at http://www.thenelsonfuneralhome.com

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