Gloria Johnson, 86

Gloria Johnson passed away Sept. 3, 2021, due to natural causes. She was at her home in Green Valley, Arizona, with her family.

Gloria was born in Sisseton, South Dakota, on May 14, 1935, to Peter and Carrie Pirmantgen. She graduated from Sisseton High School in 1953 and married Percy Johnson that same year in December. In October of 1954 they had a son, Todd, and in 1956 a daughter, Carrie. The family spent some time moving around before settling in Burlington, Iowa, from 1960 to 1977.

They spent summers traveling the country but fell in love with the Swan Valley in Montana, where they moved in 1978. Gloria had a drapery and décor business in their years in the Swan. She loved riding her horse in the Montana backcountry and loved her wire hair fox terriers.

They moved to Bigfork in 1990 where her husband passed away in 1996. She later met her second life partner, Chester “Chet” Bailey. Chet and Gloria lived in Bigfork before buying a second home in Green Valley, Arizona, where they spent a few winters before moving there full time. Chet passed away in 2014 and Gloria continued to live in Arizona.

Gloria was a world traveler throughout her life. While her children were of school age, they would pack the car at the beginning of the summer and drive around the United States, often not returning home for months. Her home was filled with a variety of furniture, art, and other treasures collected on her travels.

Gloria was a true blue Democrat. She also supported Planned Parenthood and the Nature Conservancy with monthly donations.

Gloria is survived by her son, Todd, and grandchildren Arlo, Jane and Rebecca. A graveside gathering is planned at the St. Peter’s Cemetery in Sisseton, South Dakota, on Oct. 31 at 1 p.m.

If you’d like to make a contribution in Gloria’s honor, please consider The Nature Conservancy. A memorial donation has been set up in her name.