Gloria G Bryan

Funeral Services for Gloria G. Bryan will be held on Saturday, December 28, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Holdrege, Nebraska with her grandson, Bryan Easley and her grandson-in-law, Rob Schmidt officiating. Interment will be held in the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege following the services. Gloria's favorite color was "Anything, as long as it's blue."  So, if you are inclined, please join the family in wearing her favorite color.

Gloria Georgeen Bryan, age 94, a lifetime resident of the Holdrege area, passed away on Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at Holdrege Memorial Homes. Gloria was born on March 19, 1925, in southwestern Phelps County, Nebraska, the eldest of four children to Albin Melker and Blanche Edith (Hedlund) Hollertz.  She grew up on a farm near Ragan, Nebraska where she attended school. Four days before graduating from Ragan High School in 1942, she began working as a bookkeeper at the Holdrege Ford Garage/Holdrege Motor Company.

On May 18, 1944 she was united in marriage to Ward Gail Bryan at the Holdrege Methodist parsonage.  They made their home west of Ragan before moving to their family farm in March of 1947. This marriage was a lifelong partnership of 67 years--with one son, Steve, and two daughters, Joyce and Carol, all born in Holdrege. They were all raised on the Busy B Ranch.

Gloria utilized her people skills as a receptionist and medical records secretary at Holdrege Hospital for Drs. Peterson, Reiner & Prems (1962-1968), and later at the Anderson-Embury Medical Clinic (1968-1972).  From 1973-1985 she was an insurance agent for Thorell-Sostad Insurance Company in Holdrege. On June 12, 2011 she was preceded in death by her husband, Ward.

Gloria was proud of her full Swedish heritage.  She was instrumental in moving the Scandinavian Lutheran Church that was near her childhood home to its current location as an entity of the Nebraska Prairie Museum.  She was active in the Tre Kronor Scandinavian Society, making Swedish tea rings and serving at the Swedish Days Breakfast for many years. Gloria was recognized as the Honorary Swede in 1994, and again in 2015.

Gloria joined the First United Methodist Church in 1943 and was a recognized 75 year-plus member.  She taught Sunday School when her children were young and was later active in Stephen Ministries and the United Methodist Women (UMW).

An accomplished seamstress, Gloria was always sewing.  During her lifetime she sewed over 300 quilts, most of which were gifts for family and friends.  She entered and modeled numerous garments in the regional, state, and national "Make It Yourself with Wool" contests.  Gloria was a Harlan County 4-H leader for 16 years.  For 50 years, she was also a member of the Hub Bub Women's Club.  After losing much of her vision to macular degeneration, Gloria became involved with the local Low-Vision Support Group.

Along with her parents and husband, Ward, Gloria was preceded in death by two infant sons in 1949 and 1955; an infant grandson, Craig Steven Bryan; sister Leone Heldenbrand and her husband, Bill; sisters-in-law Trudy Bryan, Thelma Ridenour and her husband, Charles; Isla Bryan and her husband, George; Louise Harms and her husband, Bill; and brother-in-law, Rodney Swanson.

She leaves her three children and their spouses to celebrate her life:  Steve Bryan and his wife, Kathy of Holdrege; Joyce Strout and her husband, Dan; and Carol Easley and her husband, Jerry all of Lincoln. She also leaves five grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren:  Karna Bryan and her husband, Gianfranco Arcieri and their sons: Dario, Giordano, and Marco of Lexington, Massachusetts; Kendra Schmidt and her husband, Rob and their daughters: Sydnie and Shelby of Holdrege; Kelley Whitham and her husband, Mike and their children: Colin, Ethan, Nolan, and Camryn of Omaha; Bryan Easley and his wife, Kallie and their children: Landon, Aislynn, Bo, and Lennox of Lincoln; and Craig Easley and his wife, Anna of Columbia Falls, Montana.  Gloria is also survived by: her sister RoseAnn Swanson of Holdrege; her brother LaMonte Hollertz and wife, Jo of Elm Creek, Nebraska; brother-in-law Chet Bryan of Turlock, California; sisters-in-law and spouses: Wilma and Hap Brummer of Holdrege, Donna Jean and Cecil Guthrie of Holdrege, and a host of loved nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 27, 2019, from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Gloria's honor and kindly suggested to the First United Methodist Church of Holdrege, the Nebraska Prairie Museum, or Holdrege Memorial Homes.

Expressions of caring and kindness may be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.