Gloria Jean Trygstad Loberg

Gloria was born in Aberdeen, WA on March 9, 1930 to Otto and Jennie Trygstad and went to be with the Lord on Friday, November 21, 2025, in University Place, WA, where she had resided for 70 years.

A loving and devoted daughter, wife, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, mother, Godmother, "mother"-in law, grandmother, great-grandmother, niece, aunt, cousin and friend to so many and a caregiver to ALL. She spent her 95 plus years "collecting" people.

Family and friends were important to Gloria. She loved to entertain at her home, which was always decorated for each and every holiday. Christmas was her favorite time of year. Her house was filled with countless decorations and the smell of Julekake, Pumpkin Apple Bread, Krumkake, Spritz, Scotcheroos and countless other cookies baking – which were plated on festive plates and delivered to friends and relatives. Most recently, she carried on her tradition of gatherings at Bridgeport Place, where she continued her "collection" with new friends and staff.

Gloria was a proud graduate of Lincoln High School, Tacoma, WA "Class of 1948". She was an only child, but had 4 "sisters" in best friends Janet and Martha (Class of '48), who preceded her in death and Donna and Lorene, all graduates of Lincoln High. She attended many of her class reunions and a very special 50th in 1998 and 60th in 2008. At 18 she became manager of the Van de Kamps Bakery in downtown Tacoma where she met her husband, Dick, who would come in to buy a donut and get change for the Safeway he worked at nearby. Her daughters, Jenise (Bill), Lori (William) and Nancy (Rick) as well as her grandchildren, Doria (Paul), Shelby, Jonathan and great-granddaughters Lilly and Olivia, learned by her example, the importance of being kind and caring for everyone and also to be involved. Gloria was a Room Mother, Girl Scout Leader, Day Camp Food Manager, PTSA member (Golden Acorn Award recipient), Ladies of Lions (Thanksgiving and Christmas Food Baskets), Sunday School Teacher, assisted at Bingo with the Veterans at American Lake Hospital, and neighborhood taxi service to swimming lessons, day camp, "The Fair", and Curtis Vikings basketball and football games (which earned her and Dick "Golden Passes" in their senior citizen years). She was also active in American Foreign Student exchange (AFS), although never hosting a student attending Curtis High School, she and Dick hosted several international students through a similar program with the Lions Club, and also hosted Girls Scouts on several occasions.

Gloria started working as a playground monitor, once all the girls had started school, and retired after 36 years from University Place School District as Lunchroom Cashier (UP Primary School).

In 1978 she discovered that flying was o.k. This enabled Dick to live out his dream of one day taking his "4 girls" to Norway and in 1980 they enjoyed a trip to visit relatives in Norway, saw France, Germany, England, Scotland and Wales. After that trip, there was no stopping her! Family was very important to Gloria and Dick and the girls were given the opportunity to meet family and friends here and abroad by road, train, boat and air.

Gloria did have a favorite color "dark lavender". Most would call it purple but since that is the color for University of Washington, she changed the name, as she only cheered for the Dawgs when not playing the Washington State University Cougs. She was an avid sports fan of many sports (men's and women's), at all levels, and was excited by the newer teams of the Seattle Sea Wolves (rugby) and Kraken (ice hockey). She had been patiently waiting for the return of the Sonics, but in the meantime, the Seattle Storm were on her radar as well. She was glued to her tv during the Mariners great run this season…almost got there. "Gotta Love these Guys" was one of her favorite M's sayings. For several seasons she attended games with the use of her Louisville Slugger Bat Cane and complimentary transport assists to the picnic area, and then to her seat from the great staff at "then" Safeco Field. She had touched the lives of Security Guards ("here comes Bat Woman") and seating hosts, one even arranged a surprise visit for her and her family to the Broadcast Booth to meet Rick Rizz, long time Mariner Broadcaster. She had cheered for Doria playing high school volleyball, Shelby playing Girls Fast Pitch, and Jonathan playing Parks and Rec basketball. She was an all around sports fan and someone once referred to her as the "Sports Director", as she always knew the lineups.

Gloria continued her active life at Bridgeport Place, where she enjoyed participating in playing Bingo, Blackjack, Pinochle, Poker, making crafts, visits from Therapy Animals in training, musical performances, monthly movie nights complete with Diet Coke and a Hershey Bar, quarterly trips to the Emerald Queen Casino (in her words, "not often enough"), Teas, Halloween trick-or-treaters, sing-alongs, and continue making her "special" cards with lots of stickers and photos. She was selected Bridgeport Place Resident of the Month for November 2025. Family and friends often commented that you almost needed to make an appointment to visit as her activity calendar was covered in yellow "Hi-Lighter" with her plans for the month.

Gloria was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Dick, her parents Otto and Jennie Trygstad and is survived by her loving family, sister-in-law, Janet, cousins Gerry and John, God daughter Cindi, extended family, and numerous friends of all ages.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to your favorite charitable organization or lend a helping hand to someone in need.

"Cherish them while you have them"