Gloria Gendreau

    Gloria LaValda Clairmont Gendreau was born to Mae and Emil Clairmont on November 16, 1923. She went to be with the Lord on October 21, 2023 just a few days before her 100th birthday. A memorial service will be held on Friday, November 10, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at the Cavalier Evangelical Free Church in Cavalier.

   Gloria attended grades 1-4 in Loam Township; grades 5-6 in Olga Township; and grades 7-12 at Walhalla Public School graduating in 1940 as Valedictorian. Gloria attended Union Commercial College in Grand Forks, ND, graduating in 1941. She worked at the Walhalla State Bank for 13 years.

   Few people are aware that Gloria was musically talented at a very young age. She played piano, sang and yodeled at dances in Vang and Olga, ND and won $1 in a contest when she was 10 years old. Governor Bill Langer asked her to play at the 4th of July Chautaugua when she was in High School.

    Gloria married Emil O. Gendreau on November 27, 1946. She “farmed” right alongside Emil as farm wives did. She cooked, baked and carried meals to the fields. She drove a truck when necessary and ran for parts. However, she never milked a cow or tended a vegetable garden. They had agreed before they were married, and Dad kept his word!

   In 1970, when most of the kids were gone, she worked at the Par Site as payroll manager. She worked as a guard for the Cavalier Air Force State and was also head of the cafeteria for Pan America. She worked until 1989. When they moved off the farm, she began to enjoy flower gardening. She planted beautiful gardens, and many people in Walhalla enjoyed the beauty both at their condo and at North Border Estates. She loved travelling with Emil and they enjoyed trips to Alaska, Hawaii, and Panama as well as friends and family state side. She went solo to Jerusalem in 1992.

   Gloria was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She taught her children what was needed to navigate life. She devoted herself to her children and always planned so that, even in the busyness of summer, we could take swimming lessons, piano lessons, etc. She was so frugal, she’d shop at rummage sales for men's wool trousers and use ALL the fabric, lining, buttons and thread to create jumpers for the girls.

   She accepted the Lord as her Personal Saviour on June 29, 1982. With Biblical Salvation comes the confidence that Gloria is in Heaven.

   She was preceded in death by her husband, Emil- August 19, 2012, but leaves son, Mark (Cindi) Gendreau, Walhalla, ND; daughters, Susan (Joe) Belcourt, Grand Forks, ND; Karen (Dale) Aaberg, St. Louis, MO, and Holly (Kirk) Ohlheiser, Mapleton, ND. Grandchildren: Michael (Kristen) Gendreau, Ben (Katie) Aaberg, Chelsea Aaberg, Rachel (David) Reid and Jaimie Samson. Great grandchildren: Matthew and Thomas Gendreau; Cooper and Logan Aaberg; Jacks, Koen, Wyatt and Nolan Reid; Colt and Nora Samson.

   She was also preceded in death by twin boys, Patrick and Michael and sisters Gloria Ann, Delores, LaRae and brothers William (Bill), Donald (Bud), Jack, Ray and Leo.

    In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to Pembilier Nursing Center, Walhalla Ambulance or Cavalier Evangelical Free Church.