Person Page - 344

     Gloria Mae Sorenson was born on 13 June 1923 at Minneapolis, Hennepin Co., Minnesota.^1,2,3 She was the daughter of Arthur Toppenberg Sorenson and Josephine (?)² Gloria Mae Sorenson graduated in 1941 at Washburn High School, Washburn, Hennepin Co., Minnesota.² She married Methodius Kenneth Gray on 23 August 1947.² Gloria Mae Sorenson lived between 1957 and 2002 at Burnsville, Dakota Co., Minnesota. She died on 9 December 2006 at Hennepin Co., Minnesota, at age 83.^2,3

Gray, Gloria Mae (Sorenson) age 83, of Village Shores of Richfield, formerly Burnsville, unexpectedly after a brief illness, on Saturday December 9. Preceded in death by parents, Josephine & Arthur Sorenson; husband, Kenneth Gray (1984); and daughter, Mary Gray (2004). Survived by beloved companion, Marv Larson and his family; Gloria's children, Elizabeth (A.J. Richter), Stephen (Linda), Jill Shellum (Kirk); son-in-law, Daniel Miller; grandchildren, William and Douglas (Rosanne) Broad, Kirsten and Ryan Gray, Nicole and Keith Shellum; great-grandchild, Michael Broad; sister, Betty Anderson (Norris) of Rockford, IL; four nephews and their families. Born in Minneapolis June 13, 1923; graduated Washburn High 1941; married Kenneth Gray August 23, 1947. Burnsville resident 1957-2002. She stayed at home raising her family for several years and then worked as a secretary for three CPA firms. After a brief retirement Gloria began a second career with New Horizon Child Care graduating from the Child Development program at Dakota County Vocational and Technical School. Aside from spending time with her beloved family and friends, Gloria's lifelong passion was volunteerism. She received recognition and many awards for her dedication to the community. Some of the organizations with which Gloria shared her time and love included the 4-H Club, Crisis Nursery, Ebenezer Society, The Entertainers, Village Shores, tutoring children, and transcribing braille for the blind. In addition, Gloria's commitment to helping others led her to spend countless hours as an individual assisting friends and others with visits and food. Gloria was famous for appearing in costumes such as Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, Pilgrim, Gorilla and was also known for her teddy bear shows and her homemade fudge. Memorial service Wednesday, December 13 at Cremation Society of Minnesota, Edina Chapel, 7110 France Avenue South. Visitation 4:00pm, service at 5:00pm, followed by reception until 8:00pm. Memorials preferred.
Published in the Star Tribune from 12/12/2006 - 12/13/2006.² She was buried on 18 December 2006 at Oak Hill Cemetery, Minneapolis, Hennepin Co., Minnesota, Plot: 2nd Addition, Block 36, Lot 7, Space 1.³

     John Solomon Southey was born on 1 October 1898 at Peoria, Peoria Co., Illinois.¹ He married Bertha N. Harn, daughter of John Wesley Harn and Ida Lorraine Johnson, on 23 February 1923 at Peoria, Peoria Co., Illinois. John Solomon Southey died on 29 August 1958 at Peoria, Peoria Co., Illinois, at age 59.¹ He was buried at Springdale Cemetery and Mausoleum, Peoria, Peoria Co., Illinois.¹

     Harriet Sowden married William McLaird.

     Male Soyster married Judith Penelope Wayne, daughter of James Albert Wayne Sr. and Vivian Maria Skluzacek.

     John Cecil Spainhour married Florence Jones.¹

     Ruth Ann Spainhour is the daughter of John Cecil Spainhour and Florence Jones.¹ Ruth Ann Spainhour married Alan Duane Harn, son of Charles Albert Harn and Audrey Devere Kanouse, on 4 May 1963 at Illinois.^2,1 Ruth Ann Spainhour and Alan Duane Harn were divorced.

     Frank Charles Spangler married Nettie Catherine Houser, daughter of Jerry Oliver Houser and Patricia Ann Rankin, on 3 November 1977 at Idaho. Frank Charles Spangler and Nettie Catherine Houser were divorced on 25 February 1983 at King Co., Washington.

     Nora Speak married Carl Jarrett.¹

     David Spear married Jane Kaye Long, daughter of Wayne Craig Long and Vera Lou Holt.

     Jonathan Spear is the son of David Spear and Jane Kaye Long.

     Andrew Jonathon Spears is the son of Richard Dean Spears and Michele Lee Parsons.¹

     Katherine Morgan Spears is the daughter of Richard Dean Spears and Michele Lee Parsons.¹

     Logan Richard Spears is the son of Richard Dean Spears and Michele Lee Parsons.¹

     Richard Dean Spears was born on 10 May 1969 at Kansas City, Jackson Co., Missouri.^1,2 He married Michele Lee Parsons, daughter of Lawrence Michael Parsons and Karen Elizabeth Keough, on 28 April 1990.¹ Richard Dean Spears died on 18 July 2001 at Eau Claire, Eau Claire Co., Wisconsin, at age 32.^1,2 He was buried at Orient Cemetery, Harrisonville, Cass Co., Missouri.²

     Michael Speckert married Gay Redekop, daughter of Dean Henry Redekop and Norma Kaye Joy.

     Katherine Ann Speece was born on 29 July 1887 at Emporia, Lyon Co., Kansas.¹ She married Charles E. Patterson on 2 March 1904 at St. Joseph, Buchanan Co., Missouri.¹ Katherine Ann Speece died on 26 May 1946 at Mystic, Appanoose Co., Iowa, at age 58.¹

     Lola Blanche Speed was born on 7 July 1904 at Washington.^2,3 She was the daughter of Roe Ellis Speed and Eunice Edith Proffitt. Lola Blanche Speed married Dewey Florence Tracey, son of John Michael Tracey and Bridgett Cecilia McCarthy, in 1923 at Chelan Co., Washington. Her Social Security Number was 539-10-2838 issued in WA. Lola Blanche Speed died on 17 January 1992 at Okanogan, Okanogan Co., Washington, at age 87.^2,3 She was buried at Okanogan City Cemetery, Okanogan, Okanogan Co., Washington.³

     Roe Ellis Speed was born on 22 March 1871 at Swan, Marion Co., Iowa.¹ He married Eunice Edith Proffitt circa 1893. Roe Ellis Speed died on 13 July 1943 at Waterville, Douglas Co., Washington, at age 72.¹ He was buried at Bridgeport Cemetery, Bridgeport, Douglas Co., Washington.¹

     Ralph Speelman married Mayme Barbara Czako.

     Josh Speight is the son of Ray Speight and Sheri Frizzell.

     Ray Speight married Sheri Frizzell, daughter of Herschel Calvin Frizzell and Nancy Lereu Hardy.

     Carol Spelsburg is the daughter of Dr. Walter Karl Spelsburg and Martha Ann Tonkin.

     Kathleen Spelsburg is the daughter of Dr. Walter Karl Spelsburg and Martha Ann Tonkin.

     Teri Ann Spelsburg is the daughter of Dr. Walter Karl Spelsburg and Martha Ann Tonkin.

     Dr. Walter Karl Spelsburg was also known as Spelsberg. He was born on 7 December 1919 at Clarksburg, Harrison Co., West Virginia.¹ He was born on 7 December 1919.² He married Martha Ann Tonkin, daughter of Loring Lombard Tonkin and Norma Madeline Smith, on 22 August 1942 at Clarksburg, Harrison Co., West Virginia.³ His Social Security Number was 235-14-8655, issued in West Virginia before 1951, lists birth as 07 Dec 1919 and death as 23 Dec 1999, last residence being Annapolis, Maryland. Dr. Walter Karl Spelsburg died on 23 December 1999 at Baltimore, Maryland, at age 80.¹

     Walter Kent Spelsburg Jr. was also known as Walter Karl.¹ He was born on 4 November 1953 at Baltimore, Maryland.^2,1 He was the son of Dr. Walter Karl Spelsburg and Martha Ann Tonkin. Walter Kent Spelsburg Jr. died on 16 April 1974 at age 20.¹

     John Earl Spencer married Wreatha Erilla Pence, daughter of Delphas J. Pence and Mabel Gertrude Caster, on 3 October 1923.¹

     Paul Spencer married Lelia Pearl Pence, daughter of Delphas J. Pence and Mabel Gertrude Caster, on 5 July 1921.¹

     Susan Elizabeth Spicer was born on 8 August 1926.³ Susan Elizabeth Spicer was also known as Suzie Elizabeth.³ She married Harlan Egbert Hillick, son of Francis Xavier Hillick and Sidney Virginia Brewer. Susan Elizabeth Spicer and Harlan Egbert Hillick were divorced. Susan Elizabeth Spicer died before 2022.

     Betty Jane Spilman was born on 9 July 1949 at St. Paul, Ramsey Co., Minnesota.¹ She was the daughter of Donald Walter Spilman and Doris Alice Harn. Betty Jane Spilman was baptized circa 1950 at Mantorville Congregational Church, Mantorville, Dodge Co., Minnesota. She graduated in 1967 at Kasson-Mantorville High School, Kasson, Dodge Co., Minnesota.¹ Betty Jane Spilman also went by the name of Jane. She married Gary Duane Thompson, son of Jim Thompson and Marion Aarsvold, on 2 August 1969 at Christ the King Lutheran Church, Byron, Olmsted Co., Minnesota.¹ SOURCE: Jane Thompson 7/1989. SOURCE: Doris Spilman 2/1991. Betty Jane Spilman was a Lutheran. She lived in June 1972 at Wichita, Sedgwick Co., Kansas.² She lived in October 1998 at Kasson, Dodge Co., Minnesota.³ She lived in August 2003 at 1000 1st Place NW, Kasson, Dodge Co., Minnesota. Betty Jane Spilman's email address gdthompson1340@hotmail.com in September 2008. She died on 16 December 2021 at Cottagewood Senior Communities, Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota, at age 72.¹

Betty Jane Thompson

Betty Jane Thompson, 72, of Kasson, MN passed away Thursday, December 16th at Cottagewood Senior Communities in Rochester, MN. She was born July 9, 1949, in St. Paul, MN to Donald and Doris Spilman. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to Mantorville, MN.

Growing up, Betty shared responsibilities with her 7 siblings working in their parents’ store. She graduated in 1967 from Kasson-Mantorville High School in Kasson, MN.

Betty married the love of her life, Gary Thompson, of Byron, MN on August 2, 1969. While Gary served in the military, they spent time in Wichita, KS as well as Victorville, CA before being discharged and moving back to the Kasson-Mantorville area.

Shortly after her retirement from Mayo Clinic in 2009, Gary and Betty moved to Breezy Point, MN where they spent 10 years before returning to the Kasson area. Betty enjoyed boating, fishing, snowmobiling, cooking & baking, playing cards, gardening, and spending time with family and friends.

She is survived by her husband Gary Thompson; her children Chad Thompson (Michelle Junge), Jeremy (Mickel) Thompson, and Jodi Skurdahl (Travis Allen); her grandchildren Alexis, Payton, Chloe, Ryker, and Brody; and siblings Jeannie Bartel, Donald Spilman, Delores Brown, Donna Peterson, and Doris Tilbury. Betty was preceded in death by her parents Donald and Doris Spilman and brothers Daniel and Davey Spilman.

The Thompson family would like to extend their gratitude to Cottagewood Senior Community for their gracious care of Betty during her stay. In lieu of flowers, the family is accepting contributions to them with a portion to be donated to Lewy Body Dementia research.

Please join us for a celebration of Betty’s life at the Dibble Funeral Home Chapel, 213 W. Main St., Kasson, MN on Thursday, December 23rd from 2:00pm- 6:00pm with time for sharing memories at 4:00pm.

Dibble Funeral Home & Cremation Services – Kasson is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.dibblefuneralhome.com.

Published December 18, 2021
https://www.postbulletin.com/obituaries/obits/betty-jane-thompson-61be0af596b0e675b87784df.¹