Gloria Shaffer

GLORIA SHAFFER was born July 11, 1925, in Irene, South Dakota, to Fred and Martha (Olson) Andersen. Gloria graduated from Luverne High School, in the Class of 1943. Following high school graduation, she attended business school in Chicago, Illinois, and then entered Brookings State in Brookings, South Dakota. Gloria then moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota where she worked for the First National Bank until her marriage to George R. Shaffer, the couple celebrated 62 years of marriage together. Gloria died of natural causes on Monday, December 5th, 2018, at the Pipestone Medical Center at the age of 93 years, four months, and 25 days.

Gloria was an entertainer at heart and loved to throw extravagant parties. She loved to cook and those who dropped by for a visit always left with a full stomach. Gloria was a master seamstress, and in the early days was known in the area for creating beautifully elaborate draperies for people’s homes. She sewed her own clothing well into her eighties and delighted in creating beautiful dresses for her one and only daughter, Gerri, when she was a child. Gloria was known for her stylish clothes and she loved bright colors.

Gloria was active every day of the week playing bridge with her lady friends, attending church activities, and attending dinners and special events. She delighted in her many friends and often kept in touch by phone or would visit them in person. She loved sending out Christmas cards and small gifts; even when she was not as mobile as she used to be, she found a way even this year, to have friends take her many Christmas packages to the post office. Gloria loved her home and it was always open to anyone who knocked on the door.

Gloria is survived by her oldest son, Randy (Sheren) Shaffer; her daughter, Gerri (Daryl Stevenett) Shaffer; her grandsons, Chad (Jen) Shaffer, Chris (Gloria) Shaffer, Sam Harper; her granddaughter, Jessica Harper; and her great granddaughters, Summer, Shayla and Sydney Shaffer.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George and her youngest son, Jeff.

A celebration of her life will be announced this coming spring where family and friends can gather in honor of this wonderful lady.

Memorials may be directed to the Pipestone Performing Arts Center in memory of Gloria.