Gloria Whitney

Sunday, April 2, 2023 5:34 pm

Gloria Whitney, age 97, of Decorah, passed away on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at Wellington Place in Decorah.

Funeral services will be held at 11:a.m. on Thursday, April 6, at Decorah Lutheran Church with Rev. Peter Kowitz presiding. The burial will be in the Burr Oak Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 5, at the Helms Funeral Home, 604 South Ave in Decorah and after 10 a.m. at the church on Thursday morning. Helms Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Gloria Joan Wickett Whitney was born at the home of her parents, Frank and Beth (Torgenrud) Wickett, on February 27th, 1926. Gloria was baptized at the Canton Presbyterian Church, and later confirmed at the Burr Oak Lutheran Church by Reverend Allen Hermeier. She attended and graduated from Canton High School with the class of 1944. It was during her high school years she met the love of her life, Harlan (Hod) Whitney. They were married on July 3, 1946, at the Canton Presbyterian Church. To this union two daughters were born: Joan and Becky.

Gloria was a busy mom at home on the farm. She was a great cook and baker. She enjoyed everyone she worked with at North Winneshiek Schools as the head cook in food service for approximately eight years. She was active in Luther League, choir, and many other activities at Burr Oak Lutheran Church. When Gloria and Hod moved to Decorah, they transferred their membership to Decorah Lutheran Church. Hod and Gloria loved to dance, sing and delighted the family with their amazing talents in both!! The family hopes there is HEAVENLY dancing and singing available! In 1990, Hod and Gloria built a home on Tamarack Drive in Decorah, where they resided for about 9 years. After which, they moved to the Mill Street Condos in Decorah. Hod was called to his eternal life on Jan. 11, 2000.

The family gives special recognition and gratitude to the Wellington Place caregivers where Gloria made her home over the last few years. Their love and support for Gloria and the family will always be remembered and cherished. They would also like to express their gratitude to the team at St. Croix Hospice for their wonderful care of Gloria.

Gloria is survived by her two daughters and their families: Joan (Kit) Grier of Venice, Fla., and Becky (Gerry) Weiand of Decorah; grandchildren: Jenny of Tampa, Fla.; Bret of Bend, Ore., Tina (Gary Morris) Weiand. We would be amiss not to also include our pets, Kinnick and Hayden, as well as Tina and Gary’s Inga. Also surviving Gloria are her brothers: Larimore, Frank, Ramon (Lorraine) Wickett, and Beverly Whitney Schultz. Her -greatgrandchildren, Lily and Malcolm, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Preceding Gloria in death are her parents Frank and Beth Wickett; father-in-law and mother-in-law Brayton and Inez Whitney; sisters: Violet VanderLinden and Maribeth Schwen; sisters-in-law: Vivian Whitney and Arlie Wickett; brother-in-law Manford Whitney; and Gloria’s beloved pet Muffy who will be going with her to her place of rest.