Gloria A. Pechtel

Gloria Ann Pechtel passed away on June 7, 2019 at the age of 89 at Essentia Health, Fargo, ND.

Gloria was born in Barnesville, MN, to David and Ethel (Reynolds) Pender on August 24, 1929.

As a young girl she attended country school, District 37, in rural Clay County, and Hawley High School.  As a sophomore, the family moved to Hitterdal where she graduated in 1946.  She attended Interstate Business College, starting her secretarial career at Clay Co. Courthouse, Moorhead, MN. She also worked at Western Adjustment and Inspection, Far-Moor Insurance Company, Moorhead, and spent 18 years with Hawley Public Schools.

She enjoyed growing up on the farm and belonging to 4-H clubs, winning several trips to St. Paul, MN, with her lamb and steer.

She married John N. Meyer on May 19, 1951 at Highland Grove Church, Dale, MN.  They lived in Long Beach, CA, Hitterdal and Hawley.  They were blessed with four daughters, Kathryn (Steve) Romer, Danielle (Jeff) Poliak, Deb Meyer and Kim (Randy Jenson) Meyer.

On October 18, 1980 she married Willard Pechtel in Hawley, MN.  They lived there many years, moving to Fargo in 1994.  Winters were spent in Arizona and Texas.

She enjoyed her vacations with the “4 girls” and playing quiddler, cards and dominos with family and friends.  She also watched the Vikings, Twins, golf, NDSU football and loved baking for the grandkids – chocolate chip cookies and special K bars.  She volunteered at Park Christian school in Fargo for 10 years.  She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary of Fargo, VFW of Moorhead, YWCA, Bleeding Disorders of North Dakota and Minnesota and was an active member of St. John Lutheran Church, Fargo.

Gloria is survived by her daughters; sister, Eleanor Funk, Minneapolis, MN; 10 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Violet Pender, Evelyn Wamre, Betty Stone and brothers, Ellis and David Jr.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the American Legion Auxiliary of Fargo, St. John Lutheran Church and Kamp KACE.

A visitation will be held on Monday, June 10, 2019 from 1:00-2:00 PM followed by the memorial service at 2:00 at Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN.

Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Moorhead, MN.