Gloria Flaten

Gloria Faye (Kloos) Flaten died Saturday May 16, 2026, at Alomere Hospital in Alexandria, Minnesota. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. with her funeral service starting at 11:00 a.m. at Leaf Mountain Lutheran Church, Clitherall, MN.   Burial will take place after the service. A lunch will be served at the church after burial.

Gloria was born on November 12, 1945, at 12:08 a.m. in Starbuck, Minnesota, to Lane and Thelma (Oudal) Kloos. She was raised primarily in rural Donnelly, MN. She attended grade school in Hoffman and Donnelly; graduated from Morris High School in 1963; and achieved an Associate Arts Degree in Parish Work through Lutheran Bible Institute, Golden Valley, MN. She was employed by various Lutheran churches in Warren and Fridley. Gloria was also employed by two parishes in the Clitherall area.

She was employed as a Nursing Home Administrator in Evansville, and at Lyngblomsten Nursing Home. Gloria was also the General Manager for their newly developed apartments in St. Paul, MN.

Gloria married David Flaten of rural Warren, December 21, 1974, at Kongsvinger Lutheran Church, Donnelly, MN. She was confirmed at this church.

David and Gloria established their home in Blaine, MN. Their children are Kurt, Darin, Melanie (Mark Larson), and Dawn. Grandchildren are Brittany (Sander) Hopkins, Joe Bates, Lane (Delling) Flaten, Hannah Flaten, Reese Downs, and Leah Flaten. Arlo Hopkins is their new great-grandson.

Gloria is survived by her sisters: Janice (Ardell) Marquardt, Gwendilyn (Larry) Kruchten, and Tamara Keen; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She is preceded in death by: parents – Lane Kloos, Thelma Brandt Kloos and Lloyd Brandt; son, Darin Flaten, daughter-in-law, Alice Flaten.

Gloria loved the beauty of the land in the Lake Belmont area – the hills, valleys, lakes. She loved the deer – even counting them on her car rides with David. Deer held a special place in her faith life. She received assurance and confirmation in her difficult decisions when seeing a deer. This was the case with her decision to have a commuter marriage when moving to her home on Lake Belmont. This answer to prayer from God was comparable to Gideon in scripture who laid fleece out to receive direction in life. Gloria’s faith life and practice was deep and wide and alive. She was very aware of her need for God’s grace and mercy, and freely gave that to others in need through listening, receiving, praying, guiding and loving them.

Gloria is well known by many for many things, but especially within the family for being a wonderful story teller, organizing incredible programs for church and hosting family events, Creating artistic cards, directing church choirs, singing beautifully, loving baking, and making/baking all things Norwegian – lefse, lutefisk, kransekaka, hardangar, rosemaling; and other interesting recipes things like her Polish Cabbage Rolls, Pumpkin Stew served in the Pumpkin, Orange Toast ,and the list does go on and on . . .

Gloria loved her family dearly and, you whom read this, are also her family. She wanted to be everyone’s mom. She would listen, be a confidant, and an encourager. She would give all of herself to anyone with care and compassion, and often a well-needed sense of humor to the situation.

Gloria will be missed by her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandson, and extended family, neighbors, friends in Christ, and her cats, Fritz and Ebby.

Let me tell you – she is sorely missed in planning this celebration of life. Love to you, Gloria!