Gloria Mae Blessing's Obituary
Gloria Mae Blessing passed away on Saturday, December 25, 2021. As a
devoted wife and involved mother, she was beloved by her family. Gloria
was an advocate for children throughout her years as a teacher, impacting
her student’s lives far beyond the classroom.
Gloria was born in Frederic, WI in 1929 to the late Marius and Agnes
Nielsen. In 1951, she graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Superior
with a degree in Education and a certificate in Early Childhood. Gloria was
also a member of Kappa Kappa Iota and Alpha Delta Kappa, professional
teacher sororities.
Teaching children was Gloria’s passion. She loved being a teacher in
Manitowoc, WI, Long Beach, CA, Tachikawa, Japan, Homestead, FL,
Oklahoma City and Tulsa, OK.
While teaching at the Tachikawa Air Force Base in Japan, Gloria met and
fell in love with First Lieutenant John Blessing of Fort Worth, TX. After
their 1955 wedding in Luck, WI, Gloria and John were stationed in
Homestead, FL. Then they moved to Oklahoma City where she taught at
Lincoln Elementary. In 1958, they made Tulsa their home where they raised
two daughters and a son.
Gloria taught Pre-K and Kindergarten for Tulsa Public Schools at
Burroughs, Riley, Lowell, and Grimes Elementary Schools.
Gloria wanted every child to have a strong foundation so that they would
love reading as much as she did. She helped create TPS’ Pre-K, Extended
Day Kindergarten, Development Kindergarten, and Transitional First
programs. She was a member of the Early Childhood Teachers Association
and a 5-year Tulsa Classroom Teachers Association delegate to the National
Education Association conventions. Gloria co-authored the “Time to Say
No” curriculum, an anti-smoking guide for the American Lung Association
and served on the TPS Curriculum Planning Committee for Tulsa United
Way.
In addition, Gloria was an active member of Fellowship Lutheran Church
and previously at Bethany Lutheran Church. She was a member of the
2
American Association of University Women and many book clubs. Gloria
loved to dance and was an excellent baker, bridge player, and avid volunteer.
After her retirement, she became a docent, working with children at
Philbrook Museum of Art, Gilcrease Museum, and the Arts and Humanities
Council at the Harweldon Mansion. During retirement, Gloria and John
especially enjoyed traveling abroad and spending time with their
grandchildren to whom their loving, 66-year marriage is exemplary.
Gloria will be deeply missed by her husband John, her children: Karne and
Jeff Beighle of Denver, CO; Shelley and Greg Bay of Summerlin, NV; and
Mitchell and Kelly Blessing of Tulsa, OK; her dear grandchildren: Kyle
Beighle, Paige and Ryan Schwab, Karmen and Eli Golden Bough, Eric and
Hartley Blessing, and Nicole Blessing; her sister Bonita DuFresne of St.
Paul, MN; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Gloria’s memorial service to celebrate her beautiful and giving life will be at
Fellowship Lutheran Church, 6727 South Sheridan, on Friday, January 21,
2022 at 11am. In lieu of flowers, contributions are welcomed for Fellowship
Lutheran Church Mission Endowment Trust (https://flctulsa.org/give) or
Happy Hands Education Center, a school for children with hearing loss or
communication disorders (https://happyhands.org/).
Memorial Service will be 11:00 AM, Friday, January 21, 2022, at Fellowship Lutheran Church, Tulsa
What’s your fondest memory of Gloria?
What’s a lesson you learned from Gloria?
Share a story where Gloria's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Gloria you’ll never forget.
How did Gloria make you smile?