Gloria Ann (Klarenbeek) Vande Hoef

Gloria Ann Vande Hoef died at home with her husband Cal and mother Jo by her side, as well as her two cats Henry and Ella sleeping on her. Diagnosed on her 55th birthday just two months and two days before, she succumbed to kidney cancer on the morning of Tuesday, May 11th, 2021.

Gloria graduated from Luverne High School in 1984, and married her high school sweetheart a year later at Inspiration Hills church camp where they had met in junior high. She loved puns and dark chocolate, hated being tagged on social media and hot weather, and she struggled humorously with cliches and knowing left from right. Gloria was known for her love and empathy, especially all things feline. She would replace song lyrics with meows, an adorably annoying idiosyncrasy. Cuddling with her beloved kittens was truly one of her true joys that gave her solace. Caring for all living things, she was a staunch vegetarian although a love of cheese and ice cream kept her from being vegan. A confirmed introvert, her love of family and close friends could pull her out into the world where she would be the vivacious and glowing center around which the rest of us revolved.

One of the few things that could draw Gloria away from her kittens was a trip. She was a passionate traveller and photographer, returning from Spain just hours before flights closed due to the pandemic for her birthday trip with a friend. In addition to travelling with her husband, family and friends, Gloria recently enjoyed solo travel, most often to New York City to watch Broadway shows, explore the streets and eat cashew (fake) chicken at her favorite restaurant Red Bamboo. She had happy places in the Netherlands, Maui and Rapa Nui. She even supported her husband's need to collect, including all 50 US states plus a cheerful tolerance of his beer and magnet obsessions. Many trips were to see her nieces and nephews, as well as being a tourist with them on their college graduation trips that she planned and led. Reflecting during the pandemic, Gloria was satisfied with the portion of the world she had seen and it was one source of peace with her diagnosis.

Talented and driven, Gloria built a beautiful life when not travelling. All marvel at the wood floors put in by her and her father, as well as her handmade butcher block kitchen island. Nearly every wall is filled with beautiful collages of her trip photos. The house walls are even painted her favored green to draw in the nature of the ponds outside the patio windows. In addition, Gloria was a mischievous and fun coworker in the group division at Securian Financial, a job she originally applied for because they advertised for music majors to become computer programmers just before Y2K. With a love of games and Sudoku, programming was a gigantic puzzle that she enjoyed for over twenty years. With a degree in vocal performance from Cal State University Dominguez Hills, she performed with One Voice Mixed Chorus for over ten years to create melodious art and social justice. Gloria was an amazing, operatic soprano whose high notes could float above even a large choir though she worked diligently to blend in her strong and distinctive voice, a metaphor for her whole life.

Gloria was preceded in death by her nephew Dan Van Der Linden, her brother Arlen Klarenbeek, her father-in-law Ron Vande Hoef, and her beloved cats Mannie, Rajda and Claude. Each death took a toll on her and in each she played an important role. In the toughest moments of life, Gloria was always the strongest who had the difficult but necessary conversions. Gloria’s empathetic nature and caring spirit compelled her. It was experiencing and mourning these losses that she decided to approach life with vigor and her death with honesty, knowing upon diagnosis that she wanted to share her final journey with those who loved her. Her goal was to alleviate our suffering as much as possible. Many will attest to her success.

Gloria is survived by her husband Cal Vande Hoef, parents Arthur and Johanna Klarenbeek, sisters Jodie (Robert) Van Der Linden and Deborah (Patrick) Miller, mother-in law Kathleen Vande Hoef and sister-in-laws Renee (Jeff) Ullman and Samantha Vande Hoef, and her nieces and nephews Josh (Amanda) Van Der Linden, Angela (Andrew) Johnson, Jacob (Danielle) Van Der Linden, Regan Klarenbeek and Jonathon Kressaty, Benjamin (Della) Miller, and Amanda (Luke) Throckmorton, plus the grand nephews Levi, Brady, Ethan, Gordon and Henry Van Der Linden. Gloria is additionally survived by numerous dear friends who loved her from her second family One Voice Mixed Chorus, as well as in the memories of friends and colleagues.

A Celebration of Life is planned for September 11th at 1 pm at Mayflower Church in Minneapolis with a reception to follow. All who mourn the loss of Gloria are welcome to attend, but are asked to RSVP to Cal. In lieu of flowers or other gifts, please donate in Gloria’s name to One Voice Mixed Chorus in St. Paul (http://www.onevoicemn.org/support-one-voice/donate/) or Animal Ark in Hastings (https://animalarkmn.org/in-honor-memory-love/).

memorial service

Celebration of Life

September 11, 2021

Mayflower Church 106 E Diamond Lake Rd, Minneapolis, MN 55419, USA

Please join me to celebrate the life of my beloved wife Gloria on Saturday, September 11th. It will be a celebration in two parts.

First, there will be a one hour formal service that will begin at 1 pm at Mayflower Church at 106 E Diamond Lake Road in Minneapolis.

Directly following the service, there will be a backyard reception at a nearby house of friends (address provided later) that will continue through the evening to share stories and comfort each other. Feel free to change (or wear) clothes/shoes between events to be comfortable for the weather and outdoors. Please bring your own lawn chair plus a preferred beverage if you want. Some drinks (non-alcoholic and alcoholic), cupcakes and light snacks will be provided through the afternoon. Around 6 pm, pizza will be available to continue chatting in the glow of the fire pit. Everyone is welcome to attend either or both gatherings as you wish or need. Message Cal to RSVP.