Gloria Patricia Andersen

Gloria Patricia (Wilson) Andersen
March 16, 1926-Feb. 20, 2010

Gloria Patricia (Wilson) Andersen passed away peacefully on Saturday evening February 20, 2010 at the Evergreen Hospice in Kirkland, WA after a courageous fight. She was attended around the clock by her daughters Signe and Kirsten and she was surrounded by her loving family when she departed. She was a beloved mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend. She was devoted to her family. While she generally deflected compliments, she was a great cook, a talented poet and a generous benefactor to her family. She looked, as is said in medical parlance, younger than her stated age, a dazzling brunette to the end. While she didn't complete college she was well read and actually read the encyclopedia, the dictionary and the Bible. She was very intelligent and had an opinion on most topics and was never terribly shy about sharing them. She loved doing crosswords, watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy and was quick to answer at all these. She had a good sense of humor, a necessity in her family. She also had a good and strong heart.
She was born in Seattle, Washington and grew up in Burley, Idaho and moved to Seattle in the 1940's with her sister, Rosemary. She worked bucking rivets at Boeing during those years. It was in Seattle that she met the love of her life, Arthur Andersen, whom she married in 1945. She had four children, Lars, Arne, Signe and Kirsten. Arthur and Gloria were together until 1985 when Arthur passed away. She loved and missed him greatly. Gloria ultimately moved to Mill Creek where she spent the last 23 years of her life. She rejoins her husband, Arthur; sisters, Charlotte and Rosemary; and brothers, Jerry and David, who all passed before her.
She leaves behind her sons, Lars (Cindy) and Arne (Sue); and daughters, Signe, (her earthbound angel), and Kirsten (Irv Sandman); as well as grandchildren, Sven (Kelly) and Heidi Andersen, Finn, Peter and Erik Andersen, and Chanie and David Sandman. Eighteen months ago she welcomed her first great-grandchild, Trygve, son of Sven and Kelly.
Gloria's family would like to thank the staff at Evergreen Hospice for their care and help. We would like to also thank Dr. David Erickson for his compassion and professionalism in helping our mother.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the Arthur B. Andersen Engineering Scholarship Fund at the University of Washington (contact Megan Kagel at 206 685-1378 or e-mail mkkagel@uw.edu for details), or a donation to a charity of your choice.
At her request a service for extended family and close friends will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, February 26, at Purdy and Walters at Floral Hills in Lynnwood, Washington. There will be a farewell reception at her house for everyone attending the funeral as well other friends of Gloria's and her family. Come anytime from 3:00-6:00 p.m. For questions, feel free to contact her sons or daughters.