Gloria Ludolph

Gloria Lorene “Saarloos” Ludolph was born to Jacob Leonard and Grace D. “Schmitt” Saarloos in Garretson, South Dakota on August 26, 1936. Gloria and her family lived in Garretson until 1940 when they moved to Scotland, South Dakota, returning to Garretson in 1945 when her father purchased the Garretson Hatchery. In the seventh grade, Gloria started helping out at the hatchery sorting chickens, candling eggs, and putting eggs in the sorting trays.

While roller skating at the roller rink in Garretson, she met her “sweetheart” Bob Ludolph and the rest is history. They continued dating throughout her high school years. Gloria graduated from Garretson High School in 1954, where she played the tuba in the high school band. Bob used to hitch rides on the train that went to Garretson to see his “sweetheart”.

Gloria and Bob were united in marriage in Garretson, SD at the Zion Lutheran Church on Gloria’s 18th birthday on August 26, 1954. They shared 64 years together.

Gloria was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church where she was a Sunday School teacher and a Deacon. She volunteered with the Girl Scouts when her daughters were young. Gloria worked at the Pipestone Country Club for many years. She started driving bus for her in-laws shortly after Chuck was born. She continued driving bus for many years and she had many great memories and some stories to tell. When Leon and Stella Ludolph retired, Bob and Gloria took over the business and ran it together until they retired and passed the business on to their sons. Until recently, Gloria continued to answer the phone relaying messages to the drivers on the 2-way radio. She had a servant, loving heart and would help out anyway she could. Gloria faithfully “held down the fort” when Bob and all their drivers were on the road.

She was a blessing to all her grandchildren, they all adored her and loved spending time with her. She would read to them and she taught them about life and love.

When asked how she would like to be remembered she said, “I’ve never had a job I didn’t like".

Gloria is lovingly remembered by her husband, Robert Ludolph of Pipestone, MN; and children: Mike (Sharleen) Ludolph of Pipestone, MN, Brenda (John) Arnold of Kandiyohi, MN, Lori Grogan of Pipestone, MN, Susie (Tim) Otto of Pipestone, MN, and Chuck (Sandy) Ludolph of Slayton, MN; grandchildren, Genny, Emily, Shelly, Ried, Nathan, Seth, Derek, David, Tedd, Jake, Maggie, Austin, Tyler, Cole, and Carlie; great-grandchildren, Emma, Zoe, Caleb, Wylla, Beckham, James, Nicolas, Evie, Joaquin, Xzavier, Kadence, Nolan, Silas, Wyatt, Emree, Jeremy and two more great-grandchildren on the way, along with many loving family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her infant son, Steven Ludolph; granddaughter, Victoria Ludolph and great-granddaughter, Sayler Ludolph; parents, Jacob and Grace Saarloos; and brothers, George, John, Paul, and Bill.