Gloria Ganther

1931 - 2024

Gloria Evangeline Ganther, 93, passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 15 in Eau Claire, WI.

Gloria was born on August 24, 1931 in Eau Claire, the youngest child of Edward and Jonethe Embertson. She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings, Beatrice LeBegue, Richard Embertson, Joyce Steen, and Darlene Stokes.

She is survived by her beloved husband, James C. Ganther, Jr.; children, Jay (Susan) Ganther, Randy Ganther, Jill (Steve) Wallin, Rod (Tami) Ganther; grandchildren, Bre (Michael) Tilton, Jenna Ganther, Shayla and Gabe Wallin, Gracelyn and Cody Ganther, Brady Reetz; great-grandchildren, Elliot Tilton and Kent Reetz, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Gloria grew up in Eau Claire and attended 10th Ward Grade School and graduated from Eau Claire Senior High in 1949. She attended UW-Eau Claire and began working at Northern States Power Company as a cashier in 1951. She was named head cashier in 1960 and became a stay-at-home mom in July of 1964 with the birth of her first child.

Gloria married her husband Jim on April 19, 1963. She was very active at Roosevelt Grade School during her children's elementary school years. She was in the PTA and enjoyed volunteering in the classroom and on field trips. A special joy for her was watching her children and grandchildren participate in athletics and music activities.

The Gloria E. Ganther Foundation hosted the family at the Buckshot Run for years and many good memories were made!

Gloria was baptized and confirmed at Bethesda Lutheran Church. She taught Sunday school for several years, sang in the choir, and volunteered to help at funerals and other special occasions at Bethesda. She was a devout Lutheran and began every day reading the Daily Bread and the Bible.

Gloria loved watching and feeding the birds, always keeping fresh water in her bird bath. She also enjoyed bowling, playing golf, ice skating, swimming, and water skiing.

She had a great love of travel and traveled throughout the US and the world, both before and after marriage. Gloria spent her later years wintering in Orange Beach, AL and taking cruises with her husband, Jim.

Gloria was an incredibly selfless woman. She was kind, caring, intelligent, and funny. To know her was to love her, and she will be missed dearly. She is now at peace in the arms of her Savior.

The family would like to thank St. Croix Hospice and The Classic at Hillcrest Greens for all the wonderful care they provided to Gloria and continue to provide Jim.

All donations to the family will be given to Special Olympics of Eau Claire, The National Wildlife Federation and The National Audubon Society.

Funeral services for Gloria will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 23 at Bethesda Lutheran Church, 123 W. Hamilton Ave., Eau Claire, WI. A visitation period will be held one hour prior to the service.

Stokes, Prock and Mundt Funeral Chapel, Altoona is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at stokesprockandmundt.com.