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Gloria E. (Anfinsen) Fox - In Memoriam

Gloria Fox Sep;t 1995

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Gloria E. (Anfinsen) Fox, age 83, of Circle Pines, devoted child of God through Jesus Christ, finished her race on November 11, 2010. Gloria was born in Minneapolis, MN on October 23rd, 1927 to Arthur Morris and Violet Anfinsen. Gloria graduated from Roosevelt High School in January 1945. Her first date with Donald Fox was graduation night from high School. Don was in the same high school class. Later that same year, Gloria started nurses training at the Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing from which she graduated as an R.N. in 1948.

Gloria and Donald were married on December 17th, 1948. Gloria worked as an R.N. in Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota Hospitals where Donald was a medical student. Philip arrived in December 1949 followed by Daniel and Nancy prior to Don and Gloria’s departure for Tanganyika E. Africa in September 1955.

Gloria and Don served as missionaries at Bumbuli, Africa where Don was a doctor at the Bumbuli Lutheran Medical Center. Gloria was a very social person and had much interaction with the people of Bumbuli where she taught classes in Piano, English and Bible Study.

During three tours of service in Tanganyika/Tanzania covering ten years overseas, the family increased with the arrivals of Andrew, Suzanne and Corene. In 1971 the family returned to live in Minnesota.

In addition to being a wife, mother and grandmother, Gloria was active as a small group Bible study leader, Sunday school teacher, choir member, pianist, Synod Mission Committee member and Hospice volunteer, among other servant tasks.

Gloria’s joys also included caring for her children, helping with her grandchildren and traveling to distant places.

Alzheimer’s made its appearance in 1996. In March 2003 Gloria began life in long term care which continued at Camilia Rose Care Center where she received the loving care needed until the time of finishing her earthly pilgrimage on November 11, 2010.

Gloria is remembered for her radiant smile, and her heart felt expressions of her love for God, family and others. Gloria served with gladness and is now singing in the Lord’s presence! Gloria is survived by her husband Donald; sons, Philip (Judy), Daniel, Andrew (Sandra); daughters, Nancy (Tom) Storhaug, Suzy (Kevin) Janssen, Corene (Christopher) Lentz; 21 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; brother, John (Barbara) Anfinsen; and sister, Mary (Jack) Rongey.

Internment at Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN. Funeral services Tuesday 11:30 AM, 16 November 2010 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 61 Mississippi Way NE, Fridley. Visitations 1 hour prior to service at church and Monday 15 November 2010, 5-8 PM at Washburn-McReavy, Coon Rapids Chapel, 1827 Coon Rapids Blvd, Coon Rapids, MN.

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(Funeral Service Memorial Remembrance Handout)

 Gloria Fox funeral handout

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Stan’s Notes: Gloria and Don Fox have been long time Redeemer Lutheran friends of June and I. June and I would normally see Gloria and Don weekly at Church on Sunday mornings.

Don tells how Gloria had her first symptoms of Alzheimer's during the 1996 time period. Her family was concerned that when out driving, Gloria would become lost or confused as to where she was and how to get home. It was during this time that Gloria had to give up volunteer hospice visitations with Tamarisk Resources, Inc.

It was during 1999 that Don and Gloria publicly announced Gloria's Alzheimer's condition. .June and I were present at a church function when Gloria and Don stood up in the Sanctuary at Redeemer and announced Gloria's Alzheimer's diagnosis. June and I were both impressed with their courage in making such a public announcement. June had been diagnosed the previous January 1998 and at that point in time, we had made no public announcements.

2003 was the year that Gloria went into a Nursing Home for her further care. She started out at Augustana in Minneapolis but shortly there after was transferred to Camilia Rose in Coon Rapids. I recall very vividly the first Sunday when Don came to church without Gloria. June seeing Don alone, went up to him and asked about Gloria. Don then explained to June where Gloria was and that she had needed special help. .Don meanwhile did not know that June had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's a few years earlier.

Shortly after June went into an Alzheimer’s facility for care in March of 2005, Don called me suggesting we meet for breakfast at Perkins early some morning. As a result of Don’s initiative, we started on a regular monthly breakfast meeting at Perkins to discuss our mutual care-giving problems and to provide mutual fellowship and support during those trying times.

Don would also visit June and I at the Benedictine and I would do the same at Gloria’s nursing home the Camilia Rose.

June was the first to pass away on 23 October 2008. June was in her 12th year after her diagnosis in January 1998.

When Gloria later passed away in November 2010, she was into her 15th year of Alzheimer’s since her diagnosis in 1996. Gloria is also buried at beautiful "Lakewood" cemetery not far where June's final resting place is located!

During the course of and because of our care-giving years of meeting together, Don and I have gone from casual friends to become close friends. We have continued our monthly Tuesday morning breakfast meetings at Perkins. We also see each other at Sunday morning church and Tuesday morning Bible studies. It could said that this friendship is one of the good things that God has created out of the tragedy of this terrible disease.

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