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BORN
1930
DIED
2014
Gloria Knapstad Obituary
March 4,1930 - July 29, 2014
San Jose, CA
Gloria Alta (Baldwin) Knapstad passed away at the age of 84, surrounded by family at her home in San Jose, CA. Gloria is survived by her husband, Sverre Knapstad, four children, seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Gloria taught for 40 years in the Campbell and San Jose Unified School Districts, giving special attention to the Natural Helpers programs and empowering youth to be their best. Throughout her life, she demonstrated a deep and abiding faith in the power of prayer and God's love. She was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. With a zest for life, she was always seeking the Highest & Best. All are welcome to join in celebrating Gloria's life on Sept. 20, 2014, at 3:00 pm at the Stone Church of Willow Glen in San Jose, CA.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Gloria Knapstad
Sponsored by San Jose Mercury News.
Carole Julian
August 25, 2021
Gloria was spiritual supportive who had the great gift of listening.
Cecelia Hender. (Ce)
August 25, 2021
I think of Gloria all the time. I always called her " Yoda" because she had good advice. My granddaughter still talks about her when she got " Blueberries for Sal " in the mail from Gloria !
She will always be much loved.
Shonnie Berry Brown
December 4, 2014
I just heard of Gloria's passing after many years of not seeing her. She was an inspiration in my life through many CFOs and through the friendship she shared with my mother, June Berry. I remember her wonderful song leading and of course her great and contagious joy.
Carole Julian
September 21, 2014
I just heard of Gloria's passing. I treasure the words we shared and her willingness to be a listener. I remember the wonderful times I had with her and others in her living room. She was a great and inspiring lady!
richard kostyrka
September 16, 2014
Albie, our children and I met Gloria at our first CFO camp at La Honda. Her vibrant singing and piano playing gave us the courage to join in to songs unfamiliar to us.
Her love was infectious. St. Paul surely was referring to Gloria when he addressed " the saints" in his Letter to the Phillipians.
Gloria, Thanks for showing us the way.
Jan Carroll
September 12, 2014
Gloria was one of those "Human Angels", clearly sent here to love everyone. She will always be considered my second mom. What a wonderful inspiration she was to the world.
Kathleen Elliott
September 10, 2014
Oh yes! Gloria was a deeply spiritual person, and in line with that, she was a lot of FUN! Lots of laughter with her. Lots of memories. I hold her close, and release her to her next great adventure, with my parents and many, many close CFO/JFOers!
Elizabeth DuBois
September 4, 2014
Tanya, your dear mom was very special to us, as you know. We're fortunate to have had her in our lives and I was always glad she was another wonderful influence for Jonathan. It's obvious from the many comments here that she was a true force for good in the world. Many hugs to you.
September 3, 2014
Tanya and family, my condolences to you. She was always such a bright, cheerful presence and certainly one of the cool mom's on the block. I know she will be missed by many.
Marilyn Coscarelli
September 2, 2014
I forgot to click on the "contact me" button, but that would be great as I would continue telling good stories about Gloria.
Marilyn Coscarelli
September 1, 2014
I was so sorry to read the obituary of your wife and mother and felt compelled to write this note to you about the kindness and great characteristics that Gloria had. I was a young mother whose children attended Carson School. She was their teacher. It was at this time that my husband became seriously ill and was in the hospital. Gloria had all the children in her class write notes to my husband, which touched him dearly. She then, took me to the side and spoke to me after class about my circumstances and gave me and unbelievable pep talk that really kept me going. She was extremely thoughtful, extremely caring and a wonderful teacher. My only regret is that I didn't write to her, while she was alive, about the influence she had on my life and my children's lives. My oldest son is a principal of a high school and my middle son is a firefighter for San Jose. (My husband and youngest son passed away from Crohn's Disease and cancer). Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend the service but I wanted you to know the influence your wife and mom had on my life. She was a great lady.
Barbara Dike
September 1, 2014
Very nice. Really caught her essence. She was my second mom and will always be remembered as such to me. I can't wait to hug her in Heaven. My condolences to everyone.
Ron Carter
September 1, 2014
Gloria was such an upbeat person. I know she will be missed by her family , many friends and colleagues. R.I.P Gloria.
Ron Carter
Castillero Middle School (Retired)
September 1, 2014
I have been on the prayer line with your mother for the past several years, it has been a blessing to receive and know that her prayers have ben healed by many, thank you, with love Mike.
Judy Marlin
August 31, 2014
I have fond memories of our times in the Sierras at Blaney Meadows. Gloria was always positive and upbeat. I so enjoyed her company.
Judy (Rumple) Marlin
You will be missed
Tamesha Osborne
August 31, 2014
Mrs. Knapstad was my 6th teacher! Wow!...I just came across this obituary and when I saw her picture I realized she was my teacher at John Muir Middle School back in 1986?...my heart goes out to her family. Every now and then I would think of Mrs. Knapstad and I've always wondered what happened to her. She was blessed to have lived to be 84 years old. God Bless her and her family. Praying for you all.
August 31, 2014
Gloria - such a beautiful soul! I am better for having known her.
Carol Horn
Lynne Rodrigues
August 31, 2014
So sorry to hear of Gloria's passing. She was a wonderful lady and a dear, dear friend of my mother's (Joyce Stanford) for years and years. It makes me happy to think of them having fun together again. So sorry to miss her memorial, but I will be out of town that weekend. Lots of love and prayers to her family.
Tish and John Bayer
August 31, 2014
Over 50 years of Gloria in our lives. It is very good to know she is happy and continuing to do good work where she is but how John and I will miss her sweet spirit and love. She called on the morning of my 55th birthday to remind me that she loved. I would not have made it through the day without that call. That's really true. Love and blessings to all of you. Tish and John Bayrr
August 31, 2014
Gloria will be sadly missed by the Prayer Line at St. Elizabeth Seton Church. She was a faithful, prayerful, compassionate and caring person. May she rest in peace.
Cecelia Hender
August 31, 2014
I will always love Gloria and she will always be my "Yoda" and my family.
I miss her Sunday calls - My son and I are blessed to have "known" her thru email and phone calls. She will never be forgotten and is remembered daily. I talk to her daily. I have cleared an area for the Gloria Rose Bush in my yard and just waiting for the proper one to buy. My Stephen was the gardener here. I am sure that Gloria embraced Stephen on her entrance to heaven - as knowing how much I loved her, I'm sure my Stephen was among the many who waited eagerly for her arrival. May she rest in peace (although I think she has heaven in a party right now) and may all her wonderful family gain comfort knowing how much joy and love she brought to others and how much she loved them.
Love,
Cecelia Hender
Jay Montalbano
August 31, 2014
Dear Sig, Marta, Kari & Tanya-
My deepest condolences on your mother's death. As you know, I was her friend through CFO and CFO International.
As you also know, your mother was a real Prayer Warrior, and her prayers and messages inspired and helped me and her many friends. Indeed, she was even a member of my church's Prayer Heartline in Connecticut, and touched people she had never met through her love and prayers.
I was truly blessed to have her in my life, even from afar. May Gloria's soul rest in peace, and may all who love her be comforted.
In sympathy for our loss, but in joy for her life.
Love & blessings-
Jay
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