Gloria Gayle Whittaker

Gloria Whittaker, 91, of Alexandria passed away peacefully in her home on Wednesday, February 28, 2024. Memorial services will be held at Calvary Lutheran Church on Friday, March 15, 2024 at 11:00 AM. A public visitation will be held one hour prior to services. Burial will take place after the funeral luncheon at Geneva Cemetery in Alexandria.

Gloria Gayle Lundgren was born to Ruth (Oberg) and Alfred Lundgren on June 17, 1932 on the family farm on Lake Louise in Alexandria. She was one of five children born to the couple, including one sibling who died shortly after birth. Growing up on the family farm on Lake Louise was idyllic for Gloria. She helped with the animals and loved being at the lake. Gloria enjoyed her brothers who looked after her and took a special interest in the birds, the barns on the homestead and flowers.

Shortly after finishing the twelfth grade, Gloria joined Wallace William Whittaker at Fort Riley, Kansas where Wally was serving in the Army. The couple were married on November 11, 1950. Wallace and Gloria had a deep loving relationship that was apparent to all who knew them.  

Upon discharge from the Army, Wallace and Gloria moved back to Minnesota and lived in Bloomington, Rochester and St Paul.  They welcomed seven children and in 1965 settled in Coon Rapids, MN where they raised their family.  In 2002, and a few years after Wally retired, they moved back to their hometown of Alexandria and settled on the Lundgren homestead where they built their retirement home on Lake Louise.  

Wally worked for General Electric for 32 years. He was a lifetime athlete and competitor and was passionate about his church volley ball team.  He drafted his sons to play for the team and installed a professional volleyball net and court in the back yard for practice.  Wally was very generous with his skill as an appliance repairman.  He provided regular appliance service to family, friends and neighbors at no charge.  He purchased and repaired appliances to give to those in need.  

Gloria was heavily involved with her church Circle membership and serving at weddings and funerals at Peace Lutheran Church, CoonRapids  All the children attended Confirmation classes at Peace Lutheran.   

Gloria raised seven of her own children and several stray kids who were in need of a good meal, a warm house and a welcome place to stay.  She had a huge heart for troubled and estranged children, as well as, any animal that needed food, shelter and care. When the youngest of her children reached their teenage years, Gloria took a part time job with her neighbor, Marian Roeder, working at Wendys drive thru window. For many years Gloria and Wally also were dedicated to serving Meals on Wheels together.

On Wally’s 81st Birthday, May 6, 2012, he passed away from complications due to his twenty year battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Wally worked very hard and was exceptional at providing for his family. He took special care to plan and insure the finances and support would be available for Gloria to live out her life in the home on Lake Louise she loved so much.  Despite the challenges involved in caring for her at home, Wally and Glorias last wish came to be realized and was a tremendous victory for both of them. A true testament of Wally’s deep love for Gloria.  

Throughout her life, Gloria remained a very gentle woman who was steadfast in her faith and her love for her family.  She was an endlessly gracious woman with what can only be described as a miraculous capacity to forgive. Gloria was a peacemaker in the truest biblical sense of the word.  She was a kind, gentle and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, sister and friend.    

Gloria is preceded in death by her parents, Ruth and Alfred Lundgren; her husband, Wally Whittaker; daughters: Jackie Whittaker, Sue Whittaker, and Janet Wilson; her brothers Vernon Lundgren, Ray Lundgren and her sister; Elaine Mikkelson along with many other beloved relatives and friends. She is survived by her sons: Bruce Whittaker of Alexandria, Bill (Glenda) Whittaker of Temple, TX, Dan (Beth) Whittaker of Forest Lake, MN, and Doug Whittaker of Alexandria; grandchildren: Jay, Gina, Marie, Jordan, Ryan, Tyler, Chandra, Luke, Alexandra, Scott and Julie; numerous great-grandchildren; and several other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.