Gloria Larose Pecka

Gloria LaRose Pecka, age 86, of Tulsa, OK, passed away at home on August 20, 2023.

Gloria was a loving wife, caring mother, cherished grandmother, dear family member

and friend whose presence will be deeply missed. We rejoice that she is reunited with

the love of her life, Raymond, again.

Gloria Smaaladen was born on April 27, 1937 in McVille, ND to Orphey and Ruth

(Johnson) Smaaladen. Big sister, Beverly, was there to greet her. Because Beverly

could not pronounce her new sister's name correctly, Gloria soon became known as

"Googa" which was a nickname she carried throughout her life. The sisters were soon

joined by a little brother named Jerry. Their Dad passed away while the kids were very

young and Ruth eventually married their step-father, Verner Sandeen. Three more

siblings, Laverne, Elsie and Rudolph, joined the family. Gloria attended school in both

McVille, ND and Aneta, ND. She graduated from Aneta Public School in 1955. After

high school, Gloria met the love of her life, Raymond Pecka. The two were married on

July 22, 1967 at Sundahl Lutheran Church in Aneta, ND. They had one daughter,

Jodee. They made their home in Aneta for the next 44 years. While in Aneta, Gloria was

very active in her church and community. She had many good friends there and

always considered Aneta her home.

During her younger years, Gloria worked helping her mother at the local cafe her

mother managed. She also worked as a secretary at the local grain elevator before

becoming a stay at home mom once Jodee was born. When Jodee was little, Gloria

started doing home daycare. After a difficult birth with Jodee, Gloria was told to not

have any more kids. She was blessed to take care of two little girls from birth that

became bonus daughters to her - Terry (Youells) Heley and Kelly Youells. Once Jodee

was in high school, Gloria worked part-time as an Assistant Postmaster at the Aneta

Post Office. In 2011, Raymond & Gloria made the move to Tulsa, OK to be near their

daughter and her family. They attended Joy Lutheran Church in Tulsa. The majority of

their free time was spent attending school events, sporting events, piano recitals and

hosting sleepovers for their grandsons. Gavin and Garrett were their grandparents'

pride and joy!

Gloria is survived by her daughter Jodee Wilsdorf, son-in-law Keith Wilsdorf and

grandsons Gavin and Garrett Wilsdorf of Jenks, OK. She is also survived by her sisters

Beverly Suby of Northwood, ND and Elsie Davidson of Ruby, ND and sisters-in-law

Bonnie Sandeen, Doris Pesek and Vickie Pecka along with several nieces and nephews

and great nieces and nephews. Gloria was preceded into death by her loving husband

of 54 years, Raymond. She is also preceded into death by her parents Orphey

Smaaladen, and Ruth Smaaladen Sandeen, stepfather Verner Sandeen, brothers Jerry

Smaaladen, Laverne Sandeen and Rudy Sandeen, sisters-in-law Maxine Pecka and

Berniece Pecka, brothers-in-law Stewart Suby, Richard Davidson, Melvin Pecka,

Charles Pecka and Dennis Pecka and nieces Lisa Suby and Ida Pecka.

Funeral arrangements have been made to honor Gloria's life. A visitation will be held at

Schaudt's Funeral Service in Tulsa, OK on August 29, 2023 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm.

Funeral and burial services will be held at a later date at Sundahl Lutheran Church in

Aneta, ND.

In this time of mourning, let us come together to celebrate Gloria LaRose Pecka's life.

She leaves behind a legacy of love, selflessness and unwavering faith. She will be

deeply missed but will live on in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know

her.