Preceded in death by great-grandson Will Connealy and brother Fred “Gene” Graham; Survived by loving husband of 65 years Kenneth Armstrong; children Jeff Armstrong, Peter (Yvonne) Armstrong, and Melissa (Bernard) Bruce; grandchildren Kim (Mike Ducey) Armstrong, Jennifer (Jon) Connealy, Sara Bruce, Becky (Ryan) Armstrong-Langle, Tyler Armstrong, Kellie (Jake) Paasch, Katie (Dillon) Budd, Mitchell Armstrong, and Trevor Bruce; 6 great-grandchildren; sisters Marian, Janet, and Anne; many family and friends. Visitation will be Friday, Dec 28, from 5:30-7:30 pm. Funeral service will be Saturday, Dec 29, at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be donated to Radio Talking Book or Heifer International.
Gloria was born on December 23, 1933 in Colome, South Dakota to Fern and Henry Graham. Her father retired from the Army as a major, and pursued other careers such as a rancher, letter carrier, and inventor. Her mother was a sales person and homemaker. Part of her childhood was spent in Korea going to school and performing as a singer, along with her three sisters, Marian, Janet, and Anne. She also had an older brother "Gene."
Gloria met her "husband to be," Ken, at her work, where he would come to see her; then continued at Drake University, where she majored in Education. They were married August 6, 1953. They were blessed with 3 children Jeff, Peter, and Melissa. Ken worked for the phone company selling Yellow Page ads and Gloria put her efforts into theatre. She performed at the Omaha Playhouse, Rose Theatre, was hired as the Romper Room Lady and performed as a variety of educational characters. Gloria also volunteered 1x/week for the Radio Talking Books, reading the daily newspaper.
Gloria has enjoyed performing, theatre, music, tennis, bridge, crossword puzzles, reading, and travel. Through Friendship Force, she and Ken have been all over the world and hosted many from other countries.
