Gloria Nell Klingaman

Gloria Nell Klingaman, 95, passed away peacefully in her Northwoods home in Woodruff, January 31, 2026. Gloria was born October 1, 1930 to Nellie and Noel Arnold in Chicago, where she was raised. She spent summers with her sister Chrys at her grandparents, Christ and Kate Iversen’s in Nelson, Minn. She learned how to pump gas, help out at the Ivertone radio company, and operate the switchboard for the Nelson Telephone Company, all companies founded and owned by her grandfather, Christ.

Gloria graduated from Taft High School where she met her husband, Bill. They were married in 1951 after a five-year courtship. She accompanied Bill to military training in the Air Force and lived in Virginia Beach, Va. before Bill was deployed to Bordeaux during the Korean War. Gloria held down the fort, working and saving money for their first home in Mt Prospect, Ill. which they bought in 1953. Gloria was passionate about civics and history, was president of the Wheeling Township Republican Club, and certified as an election judge in the 60s.

She was known for her adventurous spirit and readiness to fly with Bill in the Cessna 172, later in the Piper Apache, or with four kids in the station wagon, the Forester canoe on top. Together, they camped in virtually all the National Parks in the American West. In 1967, she and Bill bought a lake cabin in Lac du Flambeau, after a chance meeting with Bill Yeschek. She fell in love with Wisconsin’s Northwoods and in 1968, her parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at Dillman’s Bay Resort. They expanded their cabin and hosted all the family visits.

While shopping in Palatine, Ill., Gloria and Bill bumped into Tony Willow, their neighbor at the lake who asked if they were interested in a parcel of land on White Sand Lake — without hesitation Gloria closed the deal on the spot.

Gloria and Bill RVed throughout SoCal and traveled to all 50 States. Gloria outlived Bill for 15 years determined to live independently in their South Beloit, Ill. home. She bought a smaller RV and returned to Palm Desert, Calif. for many winters. She delighted in her grandchildren’s weddings, theatre, games, recitals and delicious dinner parties on the porch. She continued to drive her VW Jetta until she moved to Woodruff in 2022. Gloria will live forever in our hearts as she moves on to new adventures with Bill at her side. She will be remembered for her avid reading, stylish outfits, irresistible smile, and dancing with her husband.

Gloria was preceded in death by parents, Nellie and Noel, husband Bill, sisters Kay Floding and Chrys Hoff, brother Noel, and grandson Dustin Soto. She is survived by her children Steve (Barri), Barbara Iversen, Russ (Mary), and Douglas; her grandchildren Lenne (Mark Christine), Dane (Sarah Chaffin), Nate Ruska (Mandy), Karli Lee (Aaron), Taylor, Leah, Jenelle Stellmack (Nick); her great grandchildren Ocean Soto, Kairi and Maverick Ruska, Vanna and Ryder Lee, Rhys Klingaman-Christine, and her favorite niece, Karen Dufty (Doug).

We will be forever thankful for her caregiving team at Milestone Senior Living, where she lived for the past three and a half years. Gloria was truly lifted by all the angels around her. A private memorial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gloria’s honor to the Lac du Flambeau Fire and Ambulance Department, PO Box 68, Lac du Flambeau, WI 54538. www.bolgerfuneral.com for condolences.