Gloria Lorraine (Davidson) Lampel, 80, passed away peacefully on August 13, 2015 at St. Mary’s Hospital, Duluth. She was active and alert and living at home until just days before her passing. She was born on April 27, 1935 in Cokato – the second of four children- to Forrest and Selma Davidson. They moved to Moose Lake in 1941, where she graduated from Moose Lake High School in 1953.
She married Harvey Lampel of Kettle River on October 23, 1954 and they were blessed with three children: Monte born in Two Harbors, Chris born in Ely and Danita born in Grand Marais. They lived in Toimi, Brimson, Virginia, Ely and Kettle River before moving to Grand Marais in 1961.
When her children were young, Gloria was a Sunday school teacher, Cub Scout den mother and 4-H leader.
Gloria worked as a nurse’s aide at several hospitals from 1952 thru 1968. As a single mother Gloria worked several part-time jobs, including ISD166, Bowlivista, Cascade Lodge and Como Philgas. She started working fulltime in 1971 at Pickens Gas Service, a new gas service established by Gene Nelson. She also worked at C.O. Backlund and Sons from 1976 to 1981. She then returned to the gas company, which was Eagle Mountain Energy, and which later became Como Oil & Propane.
She retired in 2000 and loved it.
In 1985 Gloria was chosen Citizen of the Year along with Bob and Merietta Altrichter for organizing the first all class reunion of Cook County High School. She was an active member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, where she started and directed the bell choir for 15 years before retiring.
Gloria gathered a group of nine knitters from the congregation and started the Prayer Shawl ministry and continued with the Pocket Shawl ministry, both of which have given comfort to many people in times of need. She was elected as Bethlehem Angel of the Year in 2004. She was also a charter member of the Superior Red Hat Society while they were active.
Gloria is preceded in death by her ex-husband Harvey Lampel, her sister Arlene (Davidson) Fahlstrom and her brother Donald Davidson.
She is survived by her sister Sharon (Ron) Buetow of Moose Lake, Minnesota; sons Monte (Carrie) Lampel of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota and Chris (Terry) Lampel of Helotes, Texas; daughter Danita Anderson of Zimmerman, Minnesota; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She also is missed by many loving nieces and nephews.
Services will be at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Grand Marais, on August 29, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. There will be a meet and greet for family and friends at 10:00 a.m., with a luncheon to follow the service. The family has asked everyone attending who has received a pair of Gloria’s famous “Sukkas” (Finnish knit socks) over the years to bring them to the luncheon to wear in honor of Gloria’s generous and loving spirit.
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