Gloria was born at Winona, MN, on March 4, 1937, to Eugene and Vernola "Dolly" Roedeske. Gloria graduated from Dunkerton, IA, in 1955. After graduation, she modeled at Black's Clothing Store in Waterloo, IA. It was here that she met a handsome hat salesman named Tom Murphy. They were married in May, 1958. Immediately after their marriage, Tom enlisted in the Air Force and later into the Army. From this sacred union, three children were born. They enjoyed various transfers during their military years and their first born, Ray, was born in Biloxi, MS, in 1959. Randy was born in Mascoutah, IL, in 1960, and Roxanne was born in Waterloo, IA, in 1964. Sadly, Tom was killed in action in Vietnam in March of 1967. As a "sudden" single mother when single moms were less than the norm, and now back home in Iowa surrounded by her extended family, she focused her entire self on the livelihood and activities of her three children. It was here that Ray, Randy, and Roxy were raised with the love of a selfless, caring mother. In 1972, after years in Iowa, Gloria, her children, and her parents re-located to rural Edgemont to ranch. At this point in time, Gloria opened a women's clothing store called "The Glori Shop." She was a business owner for the next 7 years.

Following the sale of her business, she moved to Rapid City and worked for the Circle B Chuckwagon and then Riddles Jewelers in Rapid City until her retirement in 2011. After retirement, she moved to Sturgis to be closer to her daughter, Roxy. In later years, Gloria also enjoyed the spectator role even further while watching and supporting Roxy in her years as a high school basketball coach. She was known for baking dozens and dozens of cookies for Roxy to distribute with each basketball trip across the state. Her cookies and baking were greatly appreciated and always heart-felt and baked with pride. Literally hundreds of Sturgis athletes enjoyed "Glo's Cookies" through the years. At the time of her death, Gloria lived in Sturgis, SD.

Gloria Mae Murphy passed away at Sturgis Regional Hospital on June 24, 2017, at the age of 80 with her daughter at her side.

Gloria is survived by her sister, Deanna (Danny) Shannon from Waterloo, IA; sons, Ray (Cindy) Murphy, Houston, TX, and Randy (Heidi) Murphy, Westminster, CO; one daughter, Roxanne Murphy, Sturgis, SD; and grandchildren, Thomas, Emily, Kyle, Tristin, and Piper. Gloria was also very proud of her seven great-grandchildren and loved them all greatly.

Gloria was preceded in death by her parents, Gene and Dolly Roedeske; and her husband, Tom Murphy.

A memorial mass will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 30, 2017, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sturgis. Inurnment will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

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