Gloria Hanskala

Gloria Mae Hanskala, 82, Orr, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 21, 2014, at Diamond Willow Assisted Living in Cloquet.

She was born Gloria Mae Johnson in St. Paul, on January 5, 1932, the
daughter of Herbert and Vida Mae (Horning) Johnson. Gloria grew up in St.
Paul and graduated from St. John's Lutheran Harding High School. She
furthered her education by completing Nursing School at St. Luke's
Deaconess in Faribault, where she started her career in the medical field
as a registered nurse (RN). She worked as an RN for three years, then
returned to school at Northwestern Hospital for anesthetist training, which
was through the University of Minnesota. She graduated as a Certified
Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), then took a CRNA position at St.
John's Hospital in St. Paul. She married Edward Hanskala on July 15, 1966
in Maplewood. The couple settled in Myrtle Lake near Orr, where they raised
their family. Gloria worked at the Cook Community, Hibbing and Virginia
Hospitals. She finished her nursing career as a community health nurse at
Bois Forte Health Care Center in Nett Lake. Gloria was an active member of
Calvary Lutheran Church in Orr, where she taught Sunday school and was a
member of the church choir. The family would like to thank the nurses and
staff at Diamond Willow for the wonderful care that she received over the
last three years.

Gloria cherished the time spent with her family. She was an avid baker and
enjoyed fishing, hummingbirds, gardening, and reading. She also enjoyed
sports and cheering on her beloved Twins and Vikings, and occasionally the
Packers. The area has lost someone special, but she will live in the hearts
of many who came to know her.

She is preceded in death by Edward, her loving husband of 36 years, and
one brother, Robert Johnson.

She is survived by one son David (Kam) Hanskala of Duluth; two daughters: Sandee Hanskala and Amy (Daniel) Schwarzbach, both of Houston, TX; two grandchildren: Teresa Hanskala and Sam Schwarzbach; along with many nieces, nephews and other family members.

SERVICES: Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 16,
2015, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Orr. Pastor Joey "PJ" Bailey will
officiate. A gathering of family and friends will commence one hour prior
to the service to share memories in celebration of Gloria's life. Burial
will follow at Leiding Cemetery. Lunch will follow the internment. In lieu
of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer
Society in Gloria's name, www.donate.cancer.org Funeral arrangements are
entrusted to Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook.