Gloria Ahnemann

Gloria Mae Ahnemann, 84, of Windsor Heights, Iowa, passed away at her home on Tuesday, September 26, 2023 from Lewy body dementia and the covid virus. Gloria Mae Ahnemann, nee Torkelson, was born at home on February 2, 1939 to Adolph and Sina Torkelson, nee Iverson, in Lamberton Township, Minnesota. Her family moved to Walnut Grove, Minnesota when Gloria was a child and she frequently shared stories about the wonderful childhood she had growing up there. Her family moved to Waverly, Iowa when Gloria was in the 5th grade, and in true Gloria style, she loved her life there as well.

Gloria cherished her time at St. Paul Lutheran School through the 8th grade as well as her years at Waverly High School.  She graduated from Waverly High School in 1957, where she gathered many life-long friends and shared her musical talents through band, becoming their Drum Major, and in song, frequently performing as a soloist. Music continued to be a passion and love throughout her life, singing in church choirs and encouraging a love of music in her daughters.

Gloria worked as a telephone operator in Waverly and then for the power company in Wichita, KS, before coming back to care for her parents in Waverly. Gloria then worked for Lutheran Mutual in accounting, quickly moving up in the department and gathering more lifelong friends. It was at this time that Gloria was set up on a blind date by a friend with Darryl Ahnemann. Those first few dates to Dairy Queen turned into a marriage of 53 years. Throughout their marriage, Darryl and Gloria lived in Waverly; Columbus, OH; Sioux City, IA; Boise, ID; St. Cloud, MN and Windsor Heights, IA. Wherever they lived, Gloria immersed herself in her church, her girls’ pursuits, passing along a pride of all things Norwegian and taking care of her family.

Gloria had a heart for taking care of others including taking care of children, who became like family, volunteering wherever the need arose, tutoring Oakridge Neighborhood children and caring for many dearly beloved family pets. Gloria treasured her faith and her family most of all. Gloria was first and foremost a child of God, a beloved wife to Darryl, Mom to Kara and Kristina, Mother-in-law to Jeff and Chad, Mormor to Carleigh, Kyler, Noah, Lars and Mat, a daughter to Adolph and Sina, a sister to Ken, June (Eaton) and Jim, sister-in-law to Phyllis, Jack and Bernice, an aunt to many nieces and nephews, a cousin, and a friend to so many. Gloria was a gracious soul with a quiet strength who laughed easily and loved deeply.

Gloria was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings and their spouses, her niece (Marcia Orton) and two nephews (Keith and Jim Eaton), her mother and father-in-law Otto and Orvesta Ahnemann, her sister-and brother-in-law Evangeline and Orlando Meyer and brother-in-law Edgar Ahnemann. Gloria is survived by her husband, Darryl, her daughters Kara (Jeff) Swanson, Kristina (Chad) Ridgely, her grandchildren, Carleigh (Mathew) Fischbach, Kyler Swanson, Noah and Lars Ridgely, sister-in-law Marian Ahnemann, brother and sister-in-law Dwight and Marilyn Ahnemann, twenty-two nieces and nephews and several great-nephews, great-nieces and their families.

A funeral will be held Monday, October 2, 2023 at 11:00AM at St. Mark Lutheran Church, West Des Moines Iowa with a visitation preceding the service from 9:00-11:00AM. A live-stream will be available from St. Mark for those unable to attend. Interment will follow at a later date at Harlington Cemetery in Waverly, Iowa. Memorials may be directed to either St. Mark Lutheran in West Des Moines, Iowa or the Animal Rescue League of Iowa.

“A uniqueness that could only come from a Creator’s touch, A life lived with simplicity of purpose and unyielding strength, From moment to moment, All of life’s needs were met with a peace that surpasses all understanding, And now to the heavens, A life rises up like a leaf carried by the wind.”-Anonymous