Gloria Holden, 83, of Winner and Colome passed away on Thursday September 24, 2026 at Winner Regional. Funeral service will be held on Monday, October 5, 2026 at 10:30 am at the Winner Baptist Church in Winner, SD. Burial will follow at the Winner City Cemetery. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service.

Gloria Holden was born April 25, 1943 to James Meyer and Carrie (Hansen) Meyer. She and her older brother, Jon Meyer, enjoyed part of their childhood in Colome where James and Carrie ran a gas station. Upon the closure of the gas station the family moved to Clearfield, SD where they assisted Carrie’s family with the family farm. Gloria talked fondly of living on the farm enjoying the ability to have her cats, a family dog, and work with the animals. When James suffered an untimely death on September 2, 1950, Carrie elected to continue to live with her parents, Jens and Elizabeth Hansen, to assist with raising her children.

Jens Hansen’s health began to fail stopping him from being able to effectively manage the farm. The extended family decided that moving to Winner was the answer. Attending Winner Schools, Gloria took part in band, choir, piano, and was quite active with the Baptist Church. The family was also active with Start Prairie Church in Clearfield. Gloria graduated from Winner High School in 1961 after which she attended Sioux Falls College in Sioux Falls, SD.

Upon leaving college Gloria rejoined the extended family in Winner until meeting Merle Holden. The story that her mother Carrie would tell included, “He saw her walking home from work in her high heels and little skirt a flippin,” then laugh. Gloria would laugh and shake her head while Merle just smiled. Merle and Gloria were married September 30, 1967 with two daughters, Anji (1973) and Kristi (1978) to follow.

Merle and Gloria moved their family to Wall, SD and then Custer. Gloria was active with her local churches as a pianist/organist, choir, and bible studies. Gloria was a member of the Winter Singers in Custer where she met and became friends with Jan Conn. In 1979 the family moved to Finely, ND where Gloria worked at a bank while still maintaining her musical interests. Gloria also took up cake decorating and ran a small business making cakes for birthdays and parties.

In 1989 the family relocated to Westby, WI. Gloria was quite active in her church, assisted local students as a pianist for contests, completed Stephen Ministry classes, and watched both of her daughters grow into young women. Upon Merle’s retirement the decision to move back to the Holden family farm was made. Both were quite active in local groups with Gloria continuing to assist the students at contest, playing piano and organ for church, and joining Red Hat.

Upon Merle’s passing August 2025, Gloria expressed a desire to not live alone but not in long term care. Her daughter Anji and son-in-law Norman assisted with building a small apartment on their home for her to live in. She was able to have her cats and was adopted not only by one of Anji and Norman’s cats but was quite loved by their four dogs. Although her health was declining Gloria remained in good spirits enjoying visits from friends and family. She toured the Sioux Falls Zoo with her great-grandson prior to passing and stated that it was “boring.”

Gloria is survived by both of her daughters, their husbands, four grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, and one great-grandson. She will be missed for the joy she brought to everyone she met as well as her sense of humor.