Gloria E. Raisanen, age 91, of Annandale died Sunday, June 4, 2017 at Lakeside Oasis in Buffalo.

Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 8, 2017 at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, French Lake with Rev. Edward Groop & Dr. Margaret Stimmler officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery, French Lake. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.

Gloria Eleanor Raisanen was born March 2, 1926 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Edward and Gladys (Bjurstrom) Hanson. She grew up in Minneapolis before moving with her family out to Annandale in 1944 for her senior year of high school. Following graduation, Gloria moved to Washington where she worked in a box factory. She returned to Minnesota and was united in marriage to Edwin Ivar Raisanen on May 22, 1948 at Apostolic Lutheran Church in Cokato. Together, they moved to the Twin Cities for a short time, prior to returning to Annandale. Gloria helped Edwin on the farm while also raising their three daughters. In 1969, Gloria began working for Camp Chi Rho in the kitchen and then eventually worked in the kitchen at Camp Courage as well. In her spare time, Gloria enjoyed sewing, tending to her gardens, playing cards, and completing word finds. She enjoyed her time with her friends and their various groups, such as coffee and birthday clubs. Above all, Gloria cherished the time she was able to spend with her adoring family.

Gloria is survived by her daughters, Janie (Jim) Kielty of Cokato and Valerie of Annandale; 2 grandchildren, Kelly and Jesse Westphal; and many nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Edwin, daughter Brenda, and siblings, Dolores Kallunki and Edward “Bud” Hanson.

Leslie Kallunki, Jeff Kallunki, Jay Kallunki, Byron Hanson, Bruce Hanson, and Jesse Westphal will serve as pallbearers. Margaret Groop will provide music for the service. Arrangements are entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial & Cremation Services of Annandale.

 Service Information