Gloria was born February 7, 1930, at International Falls, MN, to Samuel and Gudrun (Johannesson) Samuelson. She grew up in Cavalier, ND and graduated from Cavalier High School. On July 9, 1949, she married Stanley Briese. After their marriage, they lived in rural St. Thomas and Hamilton, ND. She worked as a bank teller, a secretary at the Pembina County Extension Office, ran Granny’s Pantry Café, and was active in supporting the family farm. In 2018, Gloria moved to Country Estates in Cavalier.
Gloria belonged to many organizations and held offices in all of them. She also served as the Mayor of Hamilton. She enjoyed sewing and quilting. She made a special jean quilt for each of her grandchildren.
She is survived by her children: Pamela (Michael) Hollis, Green Cove Springs, FL; Susan (Bradley) Nelson, Cavalier, ND; Rochelle (Robert) DeFoe, Pembina, ND; Mark (Tami) Briese, St. Thomas, ND; Marilyn (Keith) Sagert, Neche, ND; and Danielle (Douglas) Olason, Hensel, ND; 20 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson; siblings: Robert (Diane) Samuelson, Marlene Teel, Jewell Matsuura, Richard (Sharon) Samuelson; and brother-in-law, Charles Watterson.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Stanley; siblings: Genieve Samuelson, Theodore (Mary Ellen) Samuelson, Roberta Watterson, James Samuelson; and in-laws, Julie Samuelson, Richard Matsuura, Don Teel, Jackie Watterson, Marvin and Minnie Briese, Walter and Clara Probst, Ray and Lila Martin, Harvey and Flossy Briese, and Walter and Betty Briese.