Service Information
Gloria Himle, mother of Karen Westlund and John Himle, age 84, of Hutchinson, passed away on Thursday, May 11, 2017, at the Regency Hospital in Golden Valley, Minnesota.
Memorial Services will be held Monday, May 15, 2017, at 11:00 A.M. at Faith Lutheran Church in Hutchinson.
A visitation will be held Sunday, May 14, 2017, 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. at the Dobratz-Hantge Funeral Chapel and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.
Memorials are preferred to either Faith Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, Trinity Lutheran Church in Hayfield, or the American Heart Association.
Obituary
I, Gloria Ann Dahle, was born March 14, 1933 in Hayfield, Minnesota, the daughter of Ordean and Stella Greene Dahle. As was customary in those days, I was born at home as Dr. Baker came to the homes to deliver babies. My dad’s spinster aunt stayed at our house a few days until mom recovered. I never heard my birth weight however Dr. Baker told my dad to maybe take me to the local Paulson Livestock yards where they had bigger scales.
I remember a good childhood with my only sibling, older sister Gwen. Our parents provided piano lessons for both of us. These were taught by a taskmaster teacher who came to our home after the lessons which I began at age 6 or 7. I loved the piano and was so excited when asked to play for Sunday School on a weekly basis! From 8th through 12th grade, I accompanied all the small groups and choirs at school. Another fun memory was being selected homecoming queen. Of course, we were a small school but for just the name.
After graduation I attended St. Olaf College for two years until marrying Earl Himle in 1953. At that time, most young woman were wives, secretaries, nurses, or teachers but rarely two of those things. I became my husband’s part-time secretary which was all that was needed for a small and struggling insurance agency. For several years I typed income tax returns until I became a stay-at-home mom.
Trinity Lutheran Church of Hayfield played an important part in my life. It is where I was baptized, confirmed and married. I taught Sunday School, directed the church choir for 4 years, council member, and choir member for 45 years.
Perhaps some of the best days of our lives were when our children, John and Karen, were born. Also the wedding days when Karen married David Westlund and when John married Karen Langland.
Earl and I were blessed to be able to do quite a lot of international travel as well as the states, spending several winter weeks in Florida.
Throughout the years I continued to enjoy the piano and after Earl’s death in 1991, I began to design and make greeting cards which I sent together with notes and letters of encouragement to those experiencing troubled times. The importance of this was learned when Earl and I lived in Rochester for 6 months while he was on the heart transplant list. A very cold and snowy winter that was always warmed by the receipt of cards and notes at the time when Earl was too weak to enjoy telephone calls.
After Earl’s death in 1991, I continued to live in Hayfield until moving to Hutchinson in 1998 when I became a member of Faith Lutheran Church.
Do not mourn my passing. Even as my body weakens and eyesight fails, I’ve been so blessed as I’ve lived long enough to see my five grandchildren grow into adulthood. Daniel, Laura, and Alec Westlund and Lauren and Kirsten Himle. I have so much love and respect for each of you. Yes, thanks be to God it’s really been a wonderful life - I trust that I’ll see you later!
Virgil Loken says
Gloria was the one who said that she remembered Bertha Loken’s house as the one full of laughter. Gloria had that gifted Dahle skill of always laughing and making people smile and have a good time
Bernette Finley-Drawe says
I am sorry for your loss. My Dad had so much respect for your folks, it is sad they have all now passed. With sympathy,l
Ronald Loken says
Losing Gloria was losing a lifetime great friend and cousin. We were born several weeks apart and for eighteen years we enjoyed many Sunday afternoon visits by our families, at least once a month. My mother. Bertha Dahle was best friends with her brother Ordean and Stella. They were so proud when they dropped us off at St Olaf Collage,to start our life time journey, on a Sunday afternoon in 1951.
Your many letters and our visits together are great memories. My annual visit to Minnesota every June will not be the same without you at our cousin get together. May you Rest In Peace. You were truly loved. Ron Loken
Betty Kuhlman says
Gloria was very special and I have so many wonderful memories of all the times we spent together. I will miss
your letters and the Dahle cousin times these past years. You were always a favorite cousin and we love you.
Betty Kuhlman