Gloria Ann Sutton

Gloria Ann Sutton, the daughter of Robert McCulloch and Dorothy (Carlson) Girvan, was born August 9, 1939, in Odebolt, Iowa and died July 13, 2018, at the Audubon County Memorial Hospital in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 78 years, 11 months, and 4 days.
Gloria grew up in the town of and on farms in the Odebolt, Iowa area. She attended rural schools and the Odebolt Community Schools, graduating with the High School Class of 1957. Gloria was baptized and confirmed in the Covenant Church in Odebolt. As a youth she was active in her church , 4-H, high school band, and choral groups. Gloria studied at St. Olaf College in Minnesota for one year and then graduated from the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences in 1961. She worked her way through college as a governess, camp counselor, and working with disabled children.
Gloria met her husband, Maurice Sutton, at the University of Iowa and on June 17, 1961, they were united in marriage at the Methodist Church by the Covenant Church Minister in Odebolt, Iowa. They moved to Seattle, Washington for Maury’s work and joined the University Christian Church. Gloria studied for a Master’s of Social Work at the University of Washington and worked as a social worker before becoming a homemaker and mother to their two children Hugh and Melanie. She was active in her church’s Christian Women’s Fellowship (CWF), serving as president for many years. Gloria also volunteered with Community Services for the Blind, taught a sewing machine class, and assisted several blind people with errands. She also volunteered at her children’s schools. Gloria enjoyed cross-country driving trips with her family and spending weekends at the ocean.
In 1996 Gloria and Maury moved back to Iowa, living first on a family farm in rural Templeton, Iowa, then moving to Audubon, Iowa in 2011. Gloria was an active member of the Exira Christian Church in Exira, Iowa, serving as CWF president for many years. She had a strong faith and was an avid reader of religious books. She also liked non-fiction and cookbooks.
Gloria had a sweet, kind, generous spirit, and made friends everywhere she went. Talking on the phone was a favorite hobby, and chatting with friends and family, near and far, was a highlight of every day. Gloria also sent cards for every occasion. She enjoyed taking drives around the country to see sermon titles and visit used book stores. She donated to many charities and political causes, and volunteered for some campaigns.
Preceding her in death were her parents and her brother Robert Girvan.
Survivors include her husband of 57 years, Maurice Sutton of Audubon, Iowa; her son Hugh Sutton and daughter Melanie Sutton both of Seattle, Washington; her sisters Bonnie and husband Richard Ekse of Ankeny, Iowa and Barbara and husband Donald Horak of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; her brother James Girvan and wife Hillary Maurer of West Branch, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends in Seattle and Iowa.
We will send her on to her next life on her 79th birthday on August 9, 2018, with a Celebration of Life Memorial Service conducted by Pastor Glen Meyers at 2:00 p.m. at the Exira Christian Church in Exira, Iowa. The family will have a private inurnment at a later date in the Harlan Cemetery in Harlan, Iowa. The honorary casket bearers will be Myrna Akers, Ann Martin, Jane Schlater, and Clarissa Terpstra. The family will meet with friends on Thursday afternoon, August 9, 2018, from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service at the Exira Christian Church in Exira, Iowa.