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Gloria Joy Henning Schley

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Birth	:	17 Jan 1927
Death	:	23 Feb 2021 Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA
Burial	:	East Rondell Cemetery, Stratford, Brown County, USA
Coordinate	:	45.3053017, -98.2675018
Description	:	The love story continues… Mom and Dad prayed they would die together. As usual she kindly gave him a head start. She almost joined him on Valentine’s Day but stayed an extra week to hug her kids. I watched from her second floor window as her body was lifted into the black car. And beside her, on the ground, a brown broken dried unnoticed hydrangea flower began to dance and twirl in the wind. Gloria Joy (Henning) Schley January 17, 1927 – February 23, 2021 Gloria Schley passed away sweetly in her sleep... Read More	The love story continues… Mom and Dad prayed they would die together. As usual she kindly gave him a head start. She almost joined him on Valentine’s Day but stayed an extra week to hug her kids. I watched from her second floor window as her body was lifted into the black car. And beside her, on the ground, a brown broken dried unnoticed hydrangea flower began to dance and twirl in the wind. Gloria Joy (Henning) Schley January 17, 1927 – February 23, 2021 Gloria Schley passed away sweetly in her sleep on February 23 at Grand Living at Lake Lorraine in Sioux Falls, SD. This world let go of someone special. Gloria Henning, daughter of Dan and Elizabeth, was raised on a dusty isolated farm west of Northville, SD. Dan, scarred by the trenches of WW I, his harsh father, and dry soil too rocky to till, paired himself with a joyful wife who brought love into his life for the first time and gave him Gloria. Gloria was no ordinary kid. She was born with a quiet charisma that oozed love and creativity with an unspoken radiance. In Gloria’s eyes, the pale yellow farmhouse was a polished castle. She could roller skate for miles on its porch surrounded by brilliant flowers. Her dog, Buster Perk, fit perfectly in her father’s clothes and was the first of her several dogs who learned to talk. She charmed a pig into an obese playmate. She learned to fly on a trapeze in the haymow. For Gloria, life was beautiful and so was she. Gloria loved to learn. She was deep into her education by the time her dad moved a one room grade school onto land adjacent to the farm and hired a teacher for Gloria and a handful of neighbor kids. Then as a freshman at Northville High School, Gloria was class president, cheerleader and homecoming queen. The brain and subtle influence did not go unnoticed. Yet life wasn’t easy. The house burned. Her Mom died. The Depression took the money and the farm. WW II rationing made travel impossible even for a few miles. Gloria moved to Aberdeen to live with Aunt Babe and finish high school in 1945. Did I mention she charmed a pig and taught a dog to speak? Gloria was a captivating young woman. She took on responsibility with a natural leadership. She was smart, beautiful and ambitious. She had an innate charm and strength that made the people around her want to be better. She landed the best job in town as a telephone operator and was on her way to a promotion in Denver when the quiet magnetic radiance caught the attention of one Clarence Schley, dancing at the Roof Garden above the Chevy dealership in Aberdeen. He spent his savings on a diamond almost too small to sparkle. She cashed in her savings bonds. Clarence and Gloria were married September 18, 1949 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Stratford, and made their home on the Schley farm east of Stratford. They worked hard. Clarence knew where he wanted to go, but Gloria made it possible. She learned to cook. She fed the workers. She helped with chores. Gloria was all in, no matter what. It was her determination and strength that kept Dad going. They were partners. She made him better. They had fun. They were in love. Kids came and so did success. She did the Mom things. She taught Sunday School, led 4-H clubs, hauled kids to piano lessons and country school and swimming lessons and anything else that came up. Dogs spoke. Pigs were charmed. She had opinions and as a quiet instigator she got things done. She convinced Dad to make a motion at church allowing women to vote in the congregation instead of washing the dishes while men met upstairs. (Oh and by the way, did you know God is female? She told me.) She was never loud or forceful, but she did have a look in her eye when she meant business. When Dad announced women shouldn’t be allowed to drive cars if they don’t know enough to check the oil, he got the look and got real quiet. She didn’t have to say a word. They never fought. They understood each other. Gloria had talent. She loved art and architecture, She designed each remodel at the farm as well as their new home near Aberdeen. She went to the Y three times a week, took classes in psychology, drawing, and foreign languages. She volunteered for years at the hospital, loving her work in physical therapy. Mom and Dad enjoyed community theater, concerts, dancing whenever possible, costume parties, coffee after church on Sundays and every opportunity to be with family. Their travels took them to the Eiffel Tower, a gondola in Venice, the lights of Broadway and the palms of Fiji. The fun and the love were an inspiration. And yes, she taught more dogs to talk. Gloria was a planner. She made holidays special. Cards and banners were crazy and homemade. Jello was molded. Valentines were sewn with ruffles. Costumes were stitched. She was magic. She was love. That charm. That enthusiasm. Her listening and understanding. She made us better. Nobody wants to be remembered by the affliction that happens to win in the end, but we can’t ignore a disease that tried to dominate so many years of a life. Mom managed 21 years of Alzheimer’s disease as herself. Difficult? Yes. But with Dad’s love, she endured with grace. It was his turn to support and yet Mom’s influence, power and radiance continued to lead. She was still Gloria. • In 2000, a beloved talking dog passed away and grief seemed to increase a new fogginess in Gloria. • By 2002/2003 the issues were more evident and by 2005 she had a halting stride. • August, 2005, she’s losing track of dates and time. Making a salad is an all-day struggle. • March, 2010, at the Y, she now only walks continuous laps. She’s afraid of the pool. She asks if I ever did any sewing in 4-H. She still recognizes Carol, but few other friends. We attempt drawing and painting 2 flowers. She can’t define one flower at a time. She can’t choose a paint brush, doesn’t know which end is the handle, and never touches the paint. • Oct., 2010, she doesn’t seem to realize Dad is doing the cooking and housework. She puts cookies in the toaster and serves peas with a measuring spoon. She gives me water in a tiny juice glass, but asks me why I want such a small glass. I trim her toenails. • March, 2013, at the Aberdeen airport, she asked if we fly every day. I said no, not every day, but quite often. She said, “I suppose for around town, it’s just as easy to use a car.” • 2014, from her nursing home bed, as she was losing the ability to assemble sentences, she woke and said: “Don’t you just love the beauty of the morning?” Every bird or squirrel outside her window was a “precious little dear.” She talked about going to school, maybe teaching small kids, but asked if the kids would need to be wormed often. • For a short time she lost inhibition and cussed like a sailor – long overdue after holding back for 80-some years, and darn cute. • She never could throw a ball, but now tries to throw a juice glass across a dining room. • The good thing about losing inhibitions? Suddenly she sings “You Are My Sunshine” and “God Bless America” at the top of her lungs. • 2015, after her speech has faded, Dad sneezed, and she said, “That’s the smartest thing he’s ever said!” • 2017, from nowhere, she said, “This is one of the best days of my life.” • 2019, Clarence said, “ We like each other, don’t we Mom?” Gloria answered, “You and me? I suppose.” • February, 2021, when she hadn’t walked for 7 years, hadn’t fed herself for 5 years, hadn’t gone to the bathroom alone for 7 years, couldn’t speak, and no longer opened her eyes…when she stopped clenching a hand, stopped crossing her legs, no longer ate or drank, and had said good-bye to her sweetheart, she stayed one more week to listen to the voices of her kids and lean in for one more tender squeeze. Still Gloria. Still captivating. Still radiant with love, she tried to ignore herself to save us from pain. Once again, she made us better than we would have been. She could still charm a pig. Gloria is survived by her kids, Jerry (Jacie) Schley of Stratford and Joey (Rich) Giblin of Sedgwick, KS. Grand kids are Dusty (Brittany) Schley and Haylee (Brandon) Kruger. Gloria has five great grandkids, and the Giblin family in Washington state. She is also survived by her favorite buddy and cousin LeRoy (Lin) Hollenbeck. Gloria’s husband, Clarence passed away November 5, 2020. A celebration of Gloria’s life will be held at 2:00pm on Monday, March 8th at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Aberdeen, followed by a graveside service at East Rondell Cemetery east of Stratford. Masks and distancing are required. The service will be live streamed for viewing at home via www.spitzerfuneralhome.com. We appreciate 94 years of love and friendship from the community and will feel your energy and prayers no matter the distance. A memorial has been established with The Alzheimer’s Association of SD, 4304 S Technology Dr, Sioux Falls, SD 57106. Please. Let’s find a cure. Keep dancing, Mama. Twirl in the wind. We celebrate an extraordinary person and a beautiful life. - Spitzer Funeral Home

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Gloria Joy Henning Schley's memorial?
Gloria Joy Henning Schley's memorial is located at: East Rondell Cemetery, Stratford, Brown County, USA.
When did Gloria Joy Henning Schley death?
Gloria Joy Henning Schley death on 23 Feb 2021 in Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Gloria Joy Henning Schley's memorial?
Latitude: 45.3053017
Longitude: -98.2675018

Family Members:

Spouse

Clarence Francis Schley

(1925 - 2020)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. East Rondell Cemetery
Stratford, Brown County, USA
Coordinate: 45.3053017, -98.2675018

2. Hutterville Colony Cemetery
Stratford, Brown County, USA
Coordinate: 45.2639000, -98.2139500

3. Scandinavia Lutheran Cemetery
Gem Township, Brown County, USA
Coordinate: 45.3569104, -98.3307271

4. Oakwood Cemetery
Stratford, Brown County, USA
Coordinate: 45.2599983, -98.3516998

5. West Hanson Cemetery
Groton, Brown County, USA
Coordinate: 45.3570320, -98.1845470

6. East Gem Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery
Brown County, USA
Coordinate: 45.4007988, -98.2947006

7. Bethany Cemetery
Mellette, Spink County, USA
Coordinate: 45.2149086, -98.3806381

8. Saint Pauls Cemetery
Ferney, Brown County, USA
Coordinate: 45.3269005, -98.0927963

9. Verdon Cemetery
Verdon, Brown County, USA
Coordinate: 45.2551100, -98.1037410

10. Plainview Cemetery
Brentford, Spink County, USA
Coordinate: 45.1782990, -98.3486023

11. Verdon Cemetery
Spink County, USA
Coordinate: 45.2332993, -98.0843964

12. James Cemetery
Brown County, USA
Coordinate: 45.4575005, -98.1849976

13. Warner Cemetery
Warner, Brown County, USA
Coordinate: 45.3272018, -98.5053024

14. Bath Memorial Cemetery
Bath, Brown County, USA
Coordinate: 45.4726900, -98.3294900

15. Cooper Animal Clinic Pet Cemetery
Aberdeen, Brown County, USA
Coordinate: 45.4604063, -98.3883103

16. Sunset Memorial Gardens
Aberdeen, Brown County, USA
Coordinate: 45.4599991, -98.3930969

17. Conde Cemetery
Conde, Spink County, USA
Coordinate: 45.1617370, -98.0854110

18. Groton Cemetery
Groton, Brown County, USA
Coordinate: 45.4632988, -98.1018982

19. Saint Johns Cemetery
Conde, Spink County, USA
Coordinate: 45.1538860, -98.0888600

20. Baldwin Cemetery
Brentford, Spink County, USA
Coordinate: 45.1130981, -98.3392029

21. Calvary Cemetery
Mellette, Spink County, USA
Coordinate: 45.1655998, -98.4935989

22. Sacred Heart Cemetery
Aberdeen, Brown County, USA
Coordinate: 45.4674988, -98.4627991

23. Mellette Cemetery
Mellette, Spink County, USA
Coordinate: 45.1641490, -98.4933220

24. Scotland Cemetery
Day County, USA
Coordinate: 45.2580986, -97.9606018