Beginning most conversations with “Do you want to hear this?” and now Gloria’s story ends with “Well done, my good and faithful servant”. Gloria Gradisar gained her heavenly wings on April 22nd, 2019.
Gloria Jean Frye was born on Wednesday, September 22, 1948 to Clifford and Lois (Jordan) Frye in Marshalltown Iowa. She attended 13 different schools in different cities and states between Kindergarten and 12th grade (which probably explains why she could make a friend anywhere she went), graduating from Grand Junction High School, Grand Junction, Colorado in 1967.
While living in Grand Junction and attending high school Gloria’s father had a business meeting in Pueblo and took the entire family along. During this trip she met the absolute love of her life, Michael Gradisar. They both say it was love at first sight, even though it would take a total of three marriage proposals, two from Michael and one from Gloria, to seal the deal. Michael was turned down once, as was Gloria. Michael was serving in the U.S. Navy and while out at sea Gloria decided, still being in high school, that she wanted to be able to date and go to dances and such. So, she sat down and wrote a “Dear John” letter to Michael. The moment she placed the letter in the mailbox she regretted sending it and wanted it back. So, Gloria marched right up to the counter at the local post office and pleaded her case. Even those sparkling hazel eyes and exuberant expressions of love could not allow an exception to the law. The letter was on its way to the U.S.S. Forrestal. Thank goodness she was unable to retrieve the letter as when it arrived on Michael’s ship it had one penny postage due and notice was sent to Michael. If Michael had gone to retrieve the letter he might not have been here today. The post office was destroyed in the fire. The “Dear John” letter was lost, and Gloria had saved his life, so of course, he had to marry her. Six months after they married Michael received the half-burned letter that had survived.
During Gloria’s young years it seemed she liked boys with the name of Michael. In fact, she dated 12 young men named Michael, and finally stopped at lucky number 13: Michael Gradisar. Gloria was interviewed by “Mike’s of America” and a front-page article in The Wall Street Journal (Monday Feb 24th, 1986) quoted her because of her affinity for the name Mike!
Gloria was the Job’s Daughter’s Honored Queen (Bethel 13) in Grand Junction, Colorado from 1965-1967.
During high school she was voted “Most Talkative”, an honor she upheld through all her years!
Gloria entered the Miss Marshall County Beauty Pageant in 1967 and won first runner up. She was voted Miss Congeniality by the other contestants and expressed often what an honor it was. Had Gloria won she would not have been able to complete her duties as the winner because she wed later that year.
Gloria and Michael were married in Marshalltown, Iowa (yes, she did finally accept Michael’s proposal) on December 16, 1967. They just celebrated 51 years of marriage!
Gloria was a life long learner. When she found something that interested her or she thought would help others, she would read everything she could find on the subject. A few of the things that brought her joy in life were these designations: Certified Fung Shui Practitioner, Certified Biogenesis Practitioner, Certified TAT (Tapa Acupressure Technician) Practitioner and REIKI Master.
In December of 2013 Gloria and Michael adopted a wonderful Havanese which they named Jordan. Jordan came from a rescue and most would say Gloria was rescued by Jordan. Jordan knew Gloria was “his person” and took amazing loving care of her, giving her joy every single day they were together.
A highlight of her life was being the godmother to Judy (Mundy) Searle and Tim Mundy.
During Gloria’s final days on this earth she was in the loving care of The Denver Hospice. She was asked to be interviewed by 4News on what hospice meant to her. You can see the interview at the following link: https://denver.cbslocal.com/2019/04/11/denver-hospice-groundbreaking-amy-davis-hospice-center-gloria-gradisar/
During her stay at The Denver Hospice family and friends came to visit and reminisce with her. She said time and time again she was blessed beyond blessed in her life.
You certainly knew when you were in Gloria’s presence and her passing will leave a humongous void in the lives of her family and friends. Left to carry on without her is her loving husband of 51 years, Michael Gradisar of Aurora, Colorado; her father, Clifford (Pat) Frye of Arvada, Colorado; siblings Mary (Bill) Fribley of Ames, Iowa; Douglas Frye of Aurora Colorado and Deb Tjelta of Sun City, Az; sister in law Ginger Flickinger of Pueblo West, Colorado, brother in law Mark Flickinger of Pueblo, Colorado and sister in law Judy (Del) Trantham of Cannon City, Colorado; nieces and nephews Jennifer (Brian) Hill and their daughters, Bailey and Abbie; Zachary (Hillary Harris) Tjelta and their daughters Emma and Ellanora; Jill (Collin) Griggs and their daughter, Bentley Michelle; Shelby Flickinger; Cody and Tristan Trantham.
Waiting at the gates of Heaven for her are her maternal grandparents, Kenneth and Thelma Jordan, paternal grandparents Edward Frye and Matilda Guttknecht, mother, Lois (Jordan) Linder, father-in-law Joseph Gradisar, mother in law, Neita Collette and brother in law, Tim Flickinger.
In lieu of flowers, Gloria has asked donations be made to The Denver Hospice. The link to do this can be found here: https://secure3.convio.net/tdh/site/Donation2;jsessionid=00000000.app330b?2180.donation=form1&df_id=2180&mfc_pref=&NONCE_TOKEN=C1C4B700F1EC8D1B9ECE3E9139C738E1
Gloria had a mantra she’d like you know she lived by: Easey Peasey, Light and Easy, Grace and Peace and Love.
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