Gloria Sawyer

Our family matriarch has left this world and is in the arms of her Savior.

Gloria Louise Sawyer passed away on August 31, 2026.

Gloria was born in Park Rapids, MN, on June 27, 1935, to Gustav and Delores Holmberg. She grew up in Hackensack, MN, on the family farm with her siblings, Clifford (Kip), Joy, and younger brother, Stanley. She graduated from Hackensack schools in 1953 and then started a new lifelong adventure when she married the love of her life, Edwin Sawyer on June 14, 1953. The two of them, with a true pioneer spirit, started their adventures from scratch on virgin land in Blind Lake Township with Edwin’s G.I. loan for $2.50 an acre. There she remained for the rest of her life, building a legacy of family with her partner, Edwin, for 62 years.

After that, they started their family and in short order had 4 children, Nancy, Richard, Sandra, and Steven. The legacy continued with 15 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, and 17 great-great-grandchildren who are left to carry on this amazing ride.

Gloria was a longtime 4H leader as well as a township board clerk. She enjoyed being in her vegetable garden, deer hunting, bowling, playing the piano, and sewing.

Gloria was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin; brothers, Stanley and Kip; daughter, Nancy; grandsons, Gerald, Grant and Christian; and great-grandsons, Bryce and Tritt.

A special shout out to her caregiver family at Brookside Assisted Living for their love and support over this past year. Gloria’s bond with Sam, Madeline, and the rest of the staff was an amazing display of devotion and love.

A celebration of Gloria’s life will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the Backus Church of the Nazarene, with a visitation the hour prior.