Gloria J. Clipper was born on January 19, 1927, at home in Drammen Township, Lake Benton, Minnesota, to Gordon and Vera Van Dusen Clipper.  She attended country school in her neighborhood through the 8th grade.  Then, because of the health issues of her mother, Gloria chose to stay home to care for her baby brother, Vann.

Gloria accepted Christ as her personal Saviour in her teens during evangelistic meetings at First Baptist Church at Lake Benton.  She went on to faithfully attend church and served in many capacities:  teaching children in Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, helping in ladies ministries, and throughout her life, feeding peoples' souls with food and gracious hospitality.

Gloria married Robert Even on March 18, 1947, at Lake Benton, Minnesota.  To this union were born three children:  Linda Lee, Peggy Ann, and Ricky Robert.  Gloria welcomed each and every new family member that was added as the years went along  with a smile, a hug, and a backrub.

She and Bob were constantly together, whether they were working at the farm, delivering pigs to customers, traveling for the ITC board, making visits to friends and neighbors, or preparing for gatherings in their home.  For several years, she ran a bed and breakfast out of a second house on the farm and called it "The Pig Tail Inn".   She kept a guest book there that numbered over 500 guests who came to enjoy her delicious homecooked food and friendly, generous reception.

Gloria impacted lives everywhere she went,  right up to the end of her life.  Her genuine love for people shined through in all that she did.  She delighted in her family and could think of no better way to spend her time than to be in the kitchen whipping up something tasty to feed to others, whether it be traveling sales reps, pastors, neighbors, or anyone else who found their way to her table.

Continuing to celebrate Gloria's life on earth is her husband of over 70 years, Robert Even;  daughter Peg Jordan, son Rick (Anna) Even, son-in-law George Montgomery; grandchildren Jill (Wes) Pratt, Scott (Julia) Montgomery, Stacy Zupan, Shawna Bergman, Jeremy (Esther) Even, Jennifer (David) Cotten; great grandchildren Hayden and KayLee Pratt, Cole and Jade Montgomery, Anthony, Madalyn, and Morgan Even, Brady Cotten; sister Norma (Bill) Rogers, brother Vann (Leanne) Clipper, and countless extended family members and dear friends.

Welcoming Gloria into heaven are her parents, her daughter Linda Montgomery, son-in-law Nathan Jordan, sister Marian Pricer, and brother Keith Clipper.