ORANGEVILLE-Gloria Estelle Van Buren, age 87, passed away March 28, 2012 at Castleview Hospital in Price, Utah. Gloria was born Oct. 12, 1924 in St. Louis, Mo. to Joseph and Amelia Luckert Weisner. She married L. Duane Van Buren Jan. 12, 1947 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Gloria was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was raised in St. Louis until the age of 16 when they moved to Los Angeles, Calif. She lived in St. Louis as well as in the California cities of Hawthorn, Lawndale, and Gardena. After Duane retired, they moved to Orangeville, Utah in 1985. At the age of 14, Gloria worked for a sewing factory. During WWII when she was 19, she was a “Rosie Riveter” working on the wings of the Douglas PB1 Aircraft. She also worked as a PBX operator at the hospital when she was 45 years old. She worked there for 10 years.
Her hobbies included quilting-she won 35 ribbons at numerous fairs in several states with her quilts-, gardening, needle point, and she was an avid bowler. She liked sewing, cooking, canning, and also working Sudoku puzzles. Gloria loved to travel to see her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed traveling with Royce and Lorene Olsen.
Gloria is survived by her children: Cheryl (Jack) Blair of Carrollton, Texas, and Linda (Britt) Durfee of Cascade, Idaho; seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Duane Van Buren; son Dennis Van Buren; brothers: Wendle and Joseph; and sister, Aliene.
Graveside services will be held Thursday, April 5, 2012 at 11 a.m. at Orangeville City Cemetery. There will be a viewing that morning from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at Fausett Mortuary (720 N. Center St., Castle Dale).
Services are in the care of Fausett Mortuary. Family and friends may sign the guest book and share memories of Gloria at www.fausettmortuary.com.
Gloria Estelle Van Buren
"Gloria Estelle Van Buren"