Gloria Jean Gordon Paakanen passed away in Vancouver, Washington, on April 9, 2022. She was born in Tooele, Utah on March 19, 1943, to Elmer McLaws Gordon and Ada Downs Gordon. She grew up in Tooele and graduated from Tooele High School in 1961. She attended Brigham Young University for a couple of years, then took a job at Tooele Army Depot.
Gloria was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all her life. In 1964 she served a mission for the Church, then served again after she retired, spending 18 months in Germany. She loved God and was diligent in serving him in any way she could. She especially loved music, playing the piano and directing many choirs throughout her life. She also sang with the Sweet Adalines and enjoyed traveling with them to competitions throughout the country.
Gloria married Ronald Paakanen in 1966 and they had 4 sons. Their marriage ended in 1981. Gloria's greatest love has always been her boys and her grandchildren. She dedicated her life to making sure they were provided for and had lots of good memories. As a family they had many camping trips, trips to the beach, she loved to travel and go new places.
Gloria spent many years working for the U. S. Weather Service and the Bureau of Land Management in Portland OR. from 1983 until her retirement in 2007.
Gloria was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer, Ada and brother Douglas Gordon, also sons Michael and Sean Paakanen. She is survived by sister Jerri Kaye, sons Jeremy and Ryan, and grandchildren Kodiann, Beau, and Jayson Paakanen.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 21, 2022, at 1:00 PM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 11101 NE 119th St., Vancouver Washington. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Gloria was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all her life. In 1964 she served a mission for the Church, then served again after she retired, spending 18 months in Germany. She loved God and was diligent in serving him in any way she could. She especially loved music, playing the piano and directing many choirs throughout her life. She also sang with the Sweet Adalines and enjoyed traveling with them to competitions throughout the country.
Gloria married Ronald Paakanen in 1966 and they had 4 sons. Their marriage ended in 1981. Gloria's greatest love has always been her boys and her grandchildren. She dedicated her life to making sure they were provided for and had lots of good memories. As a family they had many camping trips, trips to the beach, she loved to travel and go new places.
Gloria spent many years working for the U. S. Weather Service and the Bureau of Land Management in Portland OR. from 1983 until her retirement in 2007.
Gloria was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer, Ada and brother Douglas Gordon, also sons Michael and Sean Paakanen. She is survived by sister Jerri Kaye, sons Jeremy and Ryan, and grandchildren Kodiann, Beau, and Jayson Paakanen.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 21, 2022, at 1:00 PM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 11101 NE 119th St., Vancouver Washington. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Gloria Jean Gordon Paakanen passed away in Vancouver, Washington, on April 9, 2022. She was born in Tooele, Utah on March 19, 1943, to Elmer McLaws Gordon and Ada Downs Gordon. She grew up in Tooele and graduated from Tooele High School in 1961. She attended Brigham Young University for a couple of years, then took a job at Tooele Army Depot.
Gloria was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all her life. In 1964 she served a mission for the Church, then served again after she retired, spending 18 months in Germany. She loved God and was diligent in serving him in any way she could. She especially loved music, playing the piano and directing many choirs throughout her life. She also sang with the Sweet Adalines and enjoyed traveling with them to competitions throughout the country.
Gloria married Ronald Paakanen in 1966 and they had 4 sons. Their marriage ended in 1981. Gloria's greatest love has always been her boys and her grandchildren. She dedicated her life to making sure they were provided for and had lots of good memories. As a family they had many camping trips, trips to the beach, she loved to travel and go new places.
Gloria spent many years working for the U. S. Weather Service and the Bureau of Land Management in Portland OR. from 1983 until her retirement in 2007.
Gloria was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer, Ada and brother Douglas Gordon, also sons Michael and Sean Paakanen. She is survived by sister Jerri Kaye, sons Jeremy and Ryan, and grandchildren Kodiann, Beau, and Jayson Paakanen.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 21, 2022, at 1:00 PM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 11101 NE 119th St., Vancouver Washington. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Gloria was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all her life. In 1964 she served a mission for the Church, then served again after she retired, spending 18 months in Germany. She loved God and was diligent in serving him in any way she could. She especially loved music, playing the piano and directing many choirs throughout her life. She also sang with the Sweet Adalines and enjoyed traveling with them to competitions throughout the country.
Gloria married Ronald Paakanen in 1966 and they had 4 sons. Their marriage ended in 1981. Gloria's greatest love has always been her boys and her grandchildren. She dedicated her life to making sure they were provided for and had lots of good memories. As a family they had many camping trips, trips to the beach, she loved to travel and go new places.
Gloria spent many years working for the U. S. Weather Service and the Bureau of Land Management in Portland OR. from 1983 until her retirement in 2007.
Gloria was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer, Ada and brother Douglas Gordon, also sons Michael and Sean Paakanen. She is survived by sister Jerri Kaye, sons Jeremy and Ryan, and grandchildren Kodiann, Beau, and Jayson Paakanen.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 21, 2022, at 1:00 PM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 11101 NE 119th St., Vancouver Washington. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
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