Gloria G. DeLand

Gloria G. DeLand (GG), 89, died peacefully surrounded by family on March 25th in Palmer after suffering a heart attack while snow-birding in AZ. Gloria was born on March 1, 1934 in Duluth Minnesota. When Gloria was 9 months old, along with her parents, Thomas Sr. and Irene LePak, they moved to Palmer, Alaska as part of the Matanuska Colonist Project. The LePak’s settled in on their 40-acre homestead on the Springer System where they lived a true Alaskan lifestyle. Throughout her childhood she attended Palmer schools and also worked with her mother who owned Pearl White Laundry in downtown Palmer. In 1952 Gloria and Ted DeLand – also a colonist child, married and started their 57 years of marriage until Ted passed in 2010. In the early 60’s Gloria started working for Matanuska Electric Association where she spent her entire working career, retiring in 1987 as Credit Manager. Gloria loved her time at MEA working hard at her job as she was dedicated to do the best she could at all times. She also loved her MEA coworkers, spending many weekends shopping and going to lunch with “the girls” .

In the fall of 1987, Ted and Gloria moved to Sun City West, Arizona to spend the winters in a warmer climate where they enjoyed retirement. Gloria enjoyed bowling, playing cards, occasional trips to the casino and spending time with the different dogs she had over the years. She also enjoyed entertaining family and friends who came to visit. Family was the most important thing to Gloria. She loved her kids and grandkids like no other, traveling to attend school sporting events, functions, and family get togethers.

Everyone who was blessed enough to know Ted and Gloria always felt loved and welcomed whenever they were in their company. She will be greatly missed and remembered for her sense of humor, love of family, love for pigs and her unselfish disposition.

Gloria is survived by her son, Ben (Cheryl) DeLand; daughter, Terri (Chris) Barrett; five grandchildren, Tom (Amanda) DeLand, Tim (Meghan) DeLand, Tiffani DeLand, Melanie DeLand, and Benjamin (Mary) Butt; eleven Great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren, foster sister, Glennie Davies, many nieces and nephews and life time friends.

Gloria was preceded in death by her husband, Nile Ted DeLand; father, Thomas J. LePak Sr.; mother, Irene M. LePak, and brother, Thomas J. LePak Jr.

A memorial service and Celebration of Gloria’s life will be held in the summer of 2023. In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations be made to Palmer Historical Society Alaska, 316 E. Elmwood Ave., Palmer, Alaska.