Gloria Grace Lyford, 79

Gloria Grace Lyford passed from this life early on the morning of Dec. 12, 2011, while in her home of some 50 years, surrounded by her husband, Bob, and members of their family.

Born on a farm near the small town of Bricelyn, Minn., on March 5, 1932, to Clement and Grace Hollensbeck Logan, Gloria spent her first 13 years in several places in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa. Then at age 14, she traveled with her parents to Whitefish where her father and older brothers logged with horses for a year. In 1947, her parents moved to Kalispell, and Gloria graduated from Flathead County High School in 1949 when she was just barely 17 years old.

A few years later, she and her parents moved to Idaho where Gloria graduated from the Boise State (then Boise Junior College) with an Associate of Arts degree which allowed her to teach second grade students in the Boise Public Schools for three years. After moving back to Kalispell, she taught second grade at Russell School until the time of her marriage to Bob in 1957.

Gloria was preceded in death by her parents; three of her brothers, Wayne, Dale and Clayton; and her only sister, Viola Kluender. 

Gloria is survived by two of her brothers, Robert and wife Marge of Des Moines, Iowa, and Rex V. Logan and wife Marion of Grand Island, Neb. She is also survived by her husband, Bob, and their five children and 12 grandchildren, Scott and wife Carleen of Indian Springs, Nev.; Mark and wife Irene, and children, Christa, Amanda and Nathan, of Sparwood, Wash.;  Daniel and wife Jill, and girls, Kelsey and Kimi, of Kalispell; Tom and wife Martha, and children, Jordyn, Chase, Sydney and Zach, of Laguna Niguel, Calif.; and daughter, Jewel, and husband Matt Dyson, and children, Chandler, McKynzie and Colton, of Placentia, Calif.

Thoughtful and loving to the end, Gloria left notes affirming her love for her Lord Jesus, husband Bob, each of her children and her precious grandchildren, as well as her special friend Kim Lolly, and sisters-in-law, Marvel Logan and Lois Lyford.

Gloria consistently witnessed to her love for her Lord since she gave Him her heart as a child at an Assembly of God church in Well, Minn. Gloria also held membership in the Christian Center (Assembly of God) in Kalispell where she taught Sunday School for over 20 years. She especially enjoyed her Women's Bible Study group, as well as the many special musical programs and Christmas productions held there.

By both words and deeds, Gloria showed how much she enjoyed being with, caring for and teaching children. Many neighbors can attest to how much their children gained from her patient ability to help many 5- and 6-year-olds who attended her home preschool and, later, a similar program at Central Christian Church.

The family would like to thank Hospice Home Options Health Care for their unfailing care and assistance, and to acknowledge and thank many special friends for their support as well. They would recommend memorial donations be given to the Christian Center, Hospice Home Options, or a charity of your choice.  

Funeral services for Gloria will be held at noon on Thursday, Dec. 15, at the Christian Center, with  a reception immediately following memorial. Burial will follow the reception on Thursday at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Gloria's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Gloria's guest book, offer condolences and share memories.