Our dear mother, Gloria Ann Gill, passed over quietly 'to the other side' on the evening of April 21, 2024, at Fairwinds-Sand Creek Senior Living in Idaho Falls, ID. We find joy and comfort knowing she has joined the ever-present Lord of her life and reunited with her husband of 70 years, her son, and many other loved ones.

Born in Minneapolis on January 19, 1931, Gloria was the first child of E.F. 'Solly' Salomonsen and Lola Lilledahl Salomonsen, who died three years later after giving birth to a son, Frank.   'Solly' re-married a few years later to Malena Vanstrom, and together they had a daughter, Susan. She often looked after her younger siblings and it was at this time her maternal instincts kicked in, shaping her lifelong desire to become a mother and create a loving family of her own.  Some of her fondest memories were of the summers she spent with her paternal grandparents and the great fun she had with her three cousins who lived nearby.

Growing up during the Depression and then World War II, Gloria developed a special sense of curiosity blended with empathy for those who might be somehow 'different', whether this be the result of physical or emotional challenges, learning disabilities, differences of ethnicity, or race, or denomination and religion. These we learned about through the stories she would share with us, some derived from reading (The Story of Anne Frank), and many others from her own family and the urban landscape of the Twin Cities.

She graduated from Washburn High in Minneapolis and went on to start university training at Terre Haute, Indiana.  She returned home to finish a teaching degree in Home Economics at the University of Minnesota in 1952. By this point, she was newly married to Kermit Gill whom she had met two years before at the County Fair.

After graduation, they moved to Radcliffe, Iowa where she taught Home Economics and Kermit started his long career in the nuclear industry at Iowa State University in nearby Ames. The military draft came along, and they moved to El Paso, TX where their first children were born, twin boys, in 1955, followed by a stint in New Jersey, then back to Ames, IA where two more sons were born. Soon another move took them to Monroeville, PA where their only daughter was born.  More moves followed to Las Vegas, suburban Chicago, and finally Idaho Falls.  Gloria was the center of the home, managing the family finances as well as the emotional, educational, and extra-curricular needs of her brood. When the necessity arose, she once again taught home economics in Illinois and after her kids were mostly raised, she taught home economics at Clair E Gale Junior High School in Idaho Falls and was also a substitute teacher for many years.  She managed Discount Fabrics in Idaho Falls for several years.  They were to move another three times over the coming years, mainly because of Kermit's work. As she expressed each move 'was to be the last' but through it all, she was the glue that held the family together and the spiritually sensitive guide for those who had ears to hear.

Their last move was to Idaho Falls in 1984, and here they were able to remain for the rest of their lives. As her eldest children were 'flying the coup' and seemingly still in need of more young ones to guide, she took in foster kids. Her biological children were far-flung, but she remained in close contact with them, her 9 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

Gloria loved to sew, quilt, garden, play piano, and take care of grandkids in the summer.  She was the epitome of a "homemaker".

She was a Christian, a dedicated member of the Methodist Church and then Christ Community Church, and someone who gave time to various causes, especially for the homeless and needy through cooking dinners at Ruth House Women's Shelter in Idaho Falls and donating quilts she made to homeless shelters and the domestic violence center. Mom will always be remembered for her love, wisdom, and faith.

She is survived by her sons: Steve (Lindy) Gill of Lesotho, Africa, Doug Gill of Raleigh, NC, and Jeff (Kathie) Gill of Kennewick; WA; daughter, Cindy (Mike) Lanier of Idaho Falls, ID; brother, Frank (Bev) Salomonsen of Rochester, MN; and sister, Susan (Bud) Volkman of Rochester, MN.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kermit Gill; and their third son, Dave Gill.

Our family would like to thank the staff at Fairwinds and Solace Hospice who took such good care of our mother.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on May 30, 2024, at Christ Community Church, 5742 South 5th West, Idaho Falls. Cremation was under the care of Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First Street, Idaho Falls. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.coltrinmortuary.com.