Gleva was born April 25, 1954, along with her twin brother, Eddie. They were the first twins to be born in the Sturgis Hospital. She grew up on a farm in Hereford, SD, and moved with her family to Sturgis her sophomore year of high school in 1969. She graduated from Sturgis Brown High school in 1972, after which she went on to College in Minneapolis, MN, for computer science. In the summer of 1979, her son, Zacariah, was born and she moved to Casa Grande, AZ. There she married Gene Stafford on July 7th. They moved back to Sturgis in 1983, then to Belle Fourche in 1991, and back to Sturgis after her husband's mother passed away. Gleva stayed in Sturgis until she was diagnosed with cancer.
After a time with family, she made her home in Fort Pierre. There she enjoyed life with her little dog, Elvis! And she enjoyed time spent with nieces, Sharie and Hazel, who took good care of her when she needed them most. She made friends and enjoyed the good fishing Fort Pierre offered her! Gleva was an avid hunter and angler until her very last days. In her younger days, she loved to camp with her family, and could often be found by the lake with a Coors in her hand, enjoying the fishing and family time! She was one of the most loving and accepting people to ever walk the earth.
Gleva May (Hart) Stafford, age 64, passed away Friday, March 15, 2019, in her home in Fort Pierre, SD. She was surrounded by loved ones.
She will be sorely missed by her brother, Freddie Hart, Sturgis, SD; her twin, Eddie Hart and his wife, Tawny, Fennville, MI; brother-in-law, Edsell Roe (Carol); sister-in-law, Patty Hart (Bernie), Rapid City, SD; along with numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her son, Zacariah R. Hart of Fort Collins, CO; son, Asa M. Stafford and his wife, Kimberly, Deadwood Canyon, SD; grandsons, Dante D. Hart, Fort Collins, CO, and Chance Stafford, Deadwood Canyon, SD; and her only granddaughter, Georgia Gleva Jean Hart, Fort Collins, CO.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Kennard and Hazel Hart; brother, Bernie Hart; sister, Helen Hart Blare; and sister, Carol Hart Roe.
There will be a celebration of her life at 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 22, 2019, at the Oasis, on 3rd and Main, in Sturgis, SD. If you knew her, please come down to pay respects and tip back a banquet for her.
There will be a memorial gathering to celebrate the life of Gleva (Hart) Stafford. It will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday, May 12, 2019 at the Woodland Park Shelter, Sturgis Park. Indoor venue if weather does not cooperate will be at the Crossroads Assembly of God Church in the fellowship hall, 1201 Cedar Street in Sturgis. Come and join Gleva's family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Avera@Home Hospice, 801 East Sioux Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501.