Gloria Rops

Gloria Rops was released from the chains of this earth and entered into eternal glory from her home outside of Lennox, surrounded by family, on Monday, June 10, 2024. Gloria K. Gilbertson was born on June 10, 1942, in Canton, SD, the daughter of Arnold & Mildred (Coyer) Gilbertson. She lived on the family farm where she was active in church and music activities and 4-H. She attended Moe School #22 and graduated from Canton High School in 1960 and Sioux Valley School of Nursing in 1963. Following graduation, she worked at Sioux Valley Hospital. In 1965, she worked for a year at Queens Hospital in Hawaii before returning to Sioux Valley Hospital where she would meet Alan. On June 2, 1973, she was united in marriage to Alan Rops at Lands Lutheran Church. Following their marriage, they lived in Vermillion for four years where she was Director of Nursing at Dakota Hospital and also worked at USD Student Health. In 1977, the family moved to Lennox where Gloria worked at the Lennox Area Medical Center. In 1985, they moved to their present home on the northwest edge of Lennox. Gloria's death ended a marriage of 51 years. Gloria was an active member of Lennox Ebenezer Presbyterian Church where she belonged to the choir, sang solos and duets with her husband and taught and attended Sunday school and Bible studies. She communicated with all members of her extended church family - whether it be with cards, phone calls or emails. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Town 'N Country FCE group and was on the Good Samaritan nursing home board. In October 2010, she received a new kidney from her nephew, Michael Lawrence Gilbertson, which extended her life for nearly 14 additional years. She was preceded in death by her mother in 1984, her father in 2007, and stepmother, Vera, in 2017. Gloria attained the age of 82 years. Those grateful for having shared her life are her husband, Alan, and her children: Gaard (Melissa), Brock (Nancy), Mac, Allison (Chris) Reidburn; her four grandchildren: Liam, Austin, Finley and Sutton; one sister, Julie (Tom) Schirber of Lead, SD; two brothers, Michael (Melinda) of Dell Rapids, SD, and Curt (Deb) of rural Hudson, SD; step sister Helen (Rick) Paetow of Sioux Falls, SD, and step brother Greg (Wendy) Ulrickson of Canton, SD; plus several brothers and sisters in law, a number of nieces and nephews, as well as many friends. Services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 19 at Lennox Ebenezer Presbyterian Church, with burial to follow in the Lennox Cemetery. The service will live streamed via the church YouTube channel LEPC. Visitation, with the family present, will be 5 to 7 p.m., with a Time of Remembrance at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 18 also at Lennox Ebenezer Presbyterian Church.

Gloria Rops

June 10, 1942 - June 10, 2024

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