Gloria Mae Swanson, 85, died October 20, 2012 at her home in Hallock, Minnesota. Gloria Mae Swanson was born in Redwing, Minnesota on May 14, 1927 to Olaf and Edythe (Grow) Borseth, the first born of eight children. She spent most of her childhood in Wadena, Minnesota and moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota where she graduated from Roosevelt High School. She attended Macalester College in St. Paul and graduated with degrees in English and music. Gloria taught school in the Minnesota communities of Henderson, Kasson-Mantorville and Albert Lea. On June 1, 1957, she was married to John Leonard Swanson. They lived in Hallock, Minnesota. Gloria continued pursuing her interests in music and English as she raised her family. She substitute taught when needed at Hallock High School. She gave piano lessons to countless students throughout several decades; a number of these students became close friends. Over the years, Gloria directed choirs at First Presbyterian Church; at one point it was a family affair with both Leonard and Tom singing in the choir and Ann accompanying on the organ. Gloria was active in a local women's service club that worked to re-establish and then improve the Hallock Public Library. She enjoyed the written word and was an avid reader and writer. She co-wrote two biographies and crafted many essays, many of which were published in the newspaper. Gloria was an organizing founder of the Hallock Community Theatre. During her 25 year involvement with the group she directed many productions and co-wrote and co-produced the Hallock Centennial Pageant and Back Home Days shows. Gloria had strong opinions which she was not afraid to express and was fond of discussing politics and current events. She was extremely proud of her grandkids and enjoyed talking with them about their future plans. Gloria is survived by her son Tom (Maureen) of Hallock, her daughter Ann (Jay) Sommer of Walker, four grandchildren; Alex Sommer, Shannon Swanson, Isak Sommer and Ericka Swanson; sisters; Marilyn Fialkowski of Sioux Falls, SD, Ramona (John) Carpenter of Burnsville, Lorna (Charles) Bastis of Nevis, and Phyllis (Harlan) Syverson of Eden Prairie, brother Gerald of Mound, MN, sisters-in-law; Harriet Washburn of Stockton, CA and Barbara Borseth of Nevis, brother-in-law Paul Lohmann of Henderson, NV, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Leonard, sister Helene Lohmann, brother Eugene Borseth, sisters-in-law Jean Swanson and Rita Borseth, brother-in-law Paul Fialkowski, nieces Jacqueline Batt and Karen Syverson, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Services will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Hallock at 2:00 pm on Saturday, October 27, 2012. Visitation will be held at the church for one hour prior to the funeral service. Rev. Marge Landwehr officiating; Renee Wahl, organist; LeAnn Gatheridge, soloist and Fawn Foss, pianist. Honorary casket bearers will be Farmers Store Employees, Past and Present. Casket bearers will be Andrew Lohmann, Roger Malm, David Lindegard, Dan Younggren, Pat McGee and Edward Lehrke. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Hallock.