Earl, Glora Viola (Kjarland) Foss 1914-2009
EARL, FOSS, KJARLAND, HANSON, ENGEN, HARDING, BERG
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 8/29/2012 at 16:55:12
With her daughter at her side, 95 year old Glora Viola Kjarland Foss Earl died peacefully in her sleep on February 25, 2009.
Glora was born February 24, 1914 to Olai & Minnie (Hanson Engen) Kjarland in Pleasant Township on the family farm. She was baptized and confirmed at Canoe Ridge Lutheran Church. She was educated in Pleasant no. 8 country school.
Glora grew up in a traditional rural Norwegian family. She had one sister Julia Kjarland and seven brothers – Claude Hanson, Henry Hanson, Selmer Kjarland, Ingvold Kjarland, Laurance Kjarland, Lloyd Kjarland and Stanley Kjarland. Glora’s fondest childhood memory was cross country skiing. Winter offered rare leisure time from her agrarian lifestyle. Glora knew her way across the fields of her Canoe Ridge community.
Glora married Lester Foss when she was 19. They had four children – Galen, Donna, Naomi and Roy. Lester died in 1970. They were married for 37 years. Glora married Emmett Earl in 1971. They were married for 15 years until his death in 1986.
Glora was a modest and unassuming woman, a homemaker and a gardener. She was a master lefse maker, learning from her grandmother, an immigrant from Norway. Glora was a born composter and recycler. She loved nature and was an avid bird watcher. She knew the value of a simple life and embraced it.
Glora’s 33 grandchildren were lucky indeed. In the winter, she came up with games like “string the buttons” and “hide the thimble”. She read them stories at night and tucked them in under a quilt so heavy they could not move; but it was comforting and warm. In summer, it was the sand box and dress up and tag and red rover. On occasion, she would get out her coin purse and dispense the precious few coins she had – to her grandchildren who were huddled around her like chicks with hands. She somehow always managed to have just enough for everyone - for a dime cone or a nickel root beer at the root beer stand or spending an hour at Rooney’s store searching for just the right piece of candy. When her grandkids took time out from playing, there was always a white sugar sandwich for easy consumption. Rich treats. She would occasionally let her caged bird loose to fly freely inside the house, but Pretty Bird seemed to come only to her when it was time to be confined once again. All of her grandkids were in awe of their grandma.
Glora had been widowed these past 22 years and lived alone with her dog Tiny. Practical, independent and frugal, Glora never owned or operated an automobile and enjoyed walking in the fresh outdoors. In September of last year she could walk no more and moved to the Cresco Care Center.
Left to mourn Glora is her daughter Donna Harding, her sons - Galen (Betty) Foss and Roy (Beverly) Foss, her stepson Arnold (Rita) Earl, 31 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.
Glora endured the passing of her parents, her eight siblings, her two husbands, her daughter Naomi Foss Berg and two grandsons - Robert Harding and Steven Berg.
Glora will be buried this spring next to her husband Lester in Phelps Cemetery.
Dor op luk. Men afskeds fred. Te nu er jeg - vel bered.
Open up heavens door! My peaceful departure Look now I am - well prepared.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:30 A.M. Monday, March 2, 2009 at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah by Rev. Steven M. Jacobsen.
Visitation begins at 10:00 A.M. Monday at Fjelstul Funeral Home.
Source: Fjelstul Funeral Home database
Phelps Cemetery
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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