Looney, Gloria Delight (Garms)

Gloria Delight (Garms) Looney, 86, Postville, died Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012, at the Good Samaritan Center, Postville.

Gloria was born on a farm in rural Monona, Iowa, to Robert W. and Harriet B. (Russell) Garms on April 20, 1926. She was baptized and confirmed by the Rev. Paul Siefkus at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Monona. She graduated from Monona High School in 1943. On Aug. 30, 1947, Gloria was married to Edward E. Looney Jr. by Father Donlon at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Monona.

During her lifetime she worked as a bookkeeper at Monona Implement, on a farm near Postville with her husband, at Groth's Turkey Plant, at Water's Dairy Bar in Postville, at a corn factory in Hampton, at Collin's Radio in Cedar Rapids and as a bookkeeper at the Postville Herald from 1957 until she retired in 2001. She also helped her husband with bookkeeping for the Iowa State Liquor Store and the Meadow Gold Milk Route.

Gloria enjoyed keeping informed on political issues and was proud of being a Democrat. She was known for her spelling. She always did the daily cross word puzzle. Gloria loved her family and enjoyed baking for them, especially making homemade caramels at Christmas time. She also appreciated nature, especially birds and flowers. Gloria had a great sense of humor.

Gloria is survived by her children, Thomas E. Looney of Postville, and Judy (Joe) Sweeney of Waukon; two grandchildren, Amy (Daniel) Saucer of Albuquerque, N.M. and Paul Rechsteiner of Las Vegas, Nev. three great-grandchildren, Alan, Eddie and Joey Saucer; a sister, Joanne Peterson of Waterloo; and many nieces and nephews.

Gloria was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Looney; her parents, Robert and Harriet Garms; two brothers, Robert and Russell Garms; and by her dachshunds, “Maximillian Gone Looney” and “Sparkling Gusto.”

Visitation will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, at St. Bridget's Catholic Church in Postville. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, at St. Bridget's Catholic Church in Postville, with the Rev. Greg Bahl as the Celebrant. Interment will follow at St Patrick's Cemetery, Monona. Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service is helping the family with the arrangements.

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Published in The Gazette Sept. 6, 2012.