Gloria Faye Erpelding

July 15, 1933 - April 3, 2021

Gloria Faye Erpelding was born July 15, 1933 in Waterloo, IA. She spent most of her young life growing up on her parent’s (Lyle and Alice Steele) farm outside of Algona, IA. She enjoyed playing with animals, playing piano, participating in 4H (even winning a blue ribbon for her “Billy Boy Cherry Pie), and was an integral part of the United Methodist Youth Group and school Choir. Gloria graduated from Algona’s Garrigan High School. Post High School she worked for Druggist Mutual and later met and married her late husband, Harold Erpelding. After marriage, Gloria raised her 7 children in Lexington, NE. She enjoyed travelling (a favorite place was South Dakota), dancing, sewing, playing cards, singing, gardening, church outings and social events. A move to Bella Vista, Arkansas, brought such joy, when she joined the Bella Vista Women’s Chorus. Gloria was lovingly known as Momma, Grandma, Great-Grandma, Grammy, Memaw and Gigi! Special times were holidays, when Gloria would play holiday songs on the piano, with even the littlest of grandchildren singing along. She sewed their first day of school clothes, baked homemade goodies, played paper dolls and loved just being with them. “You Are My Sunshine” was her favorite song. In later years, Gloria’s constant companion was her little red dachshund, Allie Mae. Allie Mae followed her wherever she went and was loved by so many. Gloria continued to love to dance, read, sing, attend church, and enjoy friends and family. Gloria died April 3rd, surrounded by family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Erpelding; Parents, Lyle and Alice Steele; Granddaughter, Danielle Crawford, Great Grandchildren Charlee Thompson, William Shepherd and Katelyn Mutai, and 3 of her siblings. Survivors include 7 children: Jane Gross (Mark) of Redmond, WA; Becky Shepherd (Barry) of Kingwood, TX; Julie Crawford of Fort Gibson, OK; Judie Dooley (Tim) of Kansas City, MO; Sandy Thompson (Charlie) of Fort Gibson, OK; Lyle Erpelding; Amy Smith, of Kansas City, MO. 13 Grandchildren: Travis Gross, Justin Shepherd, Joshua Shepherd, Ashley Paul, Nick Stickney, Lucas Stickney, Nathan Thompson, Brittany Mutai, Amber Thompson, Joseph Erpelding, Holly Chapman and Sarah Lyn Rausch; 15 Great grandchildren: Piper, Reese, Claire, Madison, Sofia, Adelynn, Marley, Makenzie, Mason, Maddie, Ayden, Collins, Lydia, Gabe and Andrew; one brother, Marvin Johanson of Mt. Pleasant, IA. Family would like to thank all the caregivers at Country Gardens Assisted Living, The Springs, and Good Shepherd Hospice, for the love and compassion they showed to not only their mother, but to their family. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 27th, from 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Cornerstone Funeral Home in Muskogee, come and go as you please. Funeral will be held at a later date.