Gloria Boettcher

Funeral services for Gloria Boettcher were held on Wednesday, October 2, 22024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Russ Grim officiating.

Music was provided by Colleen Murray, pianist. Casket bearers were Kimberly Veskrna, Cal Stukel, Kurt Stukel, Jessy Biggins, Colleeen Murray, Serena Bakke, and Chris VanDerWerff. Burial was in the IOOF Cemetery in Gregory, SD. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Gloria was born on April 26, 1935 in Gregory, SD, to Walter and Edith (Elshire) Biggins. She was a sister to Karen and brother Gregg Biggins.

Gloria attended Powell School through the eighth grade and then attended Gregory High School. She worked at the Tasty Shop and Devish Dry Cleaners.

On September 20, 1953, she married Arlyen D. Boettcher at the United Methodist Church in Gregory, SD. On Gloria’s wedding day she wore her Grandma Biggins’ wedding dress that she had worn on May 4, 1904.

Arlyen and Gloria moved to Homestead Air Force Base in Florida where their sons Pierce and Scott were born. They were transferred to Spokane, WA, and then purchased a home there. While in Spokane their son Brian was born. Gloria had many fond memories of water skiing and boating with family.

Brian was one year old when they were transferred to Turkey. While in Turkey, Arlyen passed away on June 9, 1969. Gloria and the boys returned to Spokane, and after a few years Gloria and Brian moved to Glendale, AZ, where she lived until her passing.

She passed away on September 23, 2024, at the age of 89. Gloria is survived by her children, Pierce of Peoria, AZ, Scott of Peoria, AZ, and Brian of Glendale, AZ; granddaughter Alyssa (Vinay) Nair, Alexandria, VA; great-granddaughter Asha Nair, Alexandria, VA; sister Karen (Elmer) Stukel Karl, Gregory, SD; brother Gregg (Be) Biggins, Gregory, SD; brother-in-law Dean Boettcher; sister-in-law Viva Dell Arnold; and by numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents Edith and Walter Biggins; step-mother Violet Biggins; husband Arlyen; Arlyen’s parents; daughter- in-law Charlene Boettcher; sisters-in-law Inez Laprath and Wendy Shay; brothers-in-law Cal Stukel and Roy Laprath, step-sister Patty Rezac; and step-brother Ronald Jones.