In her own words…
I came into this world on March 1, 1927 – born to Rose Drappeau and John Hudson. This all took place at the Rosebud Indian Hospital in Rosebud, SD. I grew up in a small town – St. Francis – attended the Mission School there.
My education was gleaned from the Franciscan Sisters and Jesuit Priests. At the age of 16 I graduated from High School and went immediately to St. Louis to attend St. John’s Nursing School. My parents had great faith in me, and loved me much to let me go so far from home. Bless them! After several weeks of classes I was called in the nursing school office and told I could not continue because I was not yet 17 years of age. What a dilemma! The Head of Nurses allowed me to work in her office for that year. I attended St. Louis University and took some of the courses I would need later. My four years in St. Lousi were great! I made so many friends and was practically adopted by mom & pop Tevlin. I enjoyed the light operas in Fours Park and the baseball games – “go Cardinals”.
I graduated in 1947 – passed my State Board exams and went to work. I had to use a temporary license because I was not yet 21 years old. (Those were the days!)
For the next 45 years I worked as a nurse – loved my job – retired in 1990. During that time, I married Earl – (married 54 years) – had two great boys and enjoyed life.
After retiring I was bitten by the quilting bug and have been busy with making quilts and other quilting items. My favorite quiet is the Star Quilt. My friend Mona and I have taught classes in New York, Belle Fourche, Rapid City, Eagle Butte, and Dupree. I am a member of the quilter’s guild, “The Prairie Strippers” and the South Dakota Quilters Association. And as of this date, February 2008, I am still making quilts with much love for the art. Mona and I have had our quilts on display at the Journey Museums in Rapid City. We were the first to have a Native American quilt show at the Warriors Gallery in Hill City and displayed our quilts at the first Black Hills quilters guild in Rapid City.
So goes my life – with wishes that all who have the comfort of one of my quilts – know that it was joyfully pieced. God Bless!
Gloria is survived by her loving sons, Tim Traversie (and Deb Johnson) and Jim Traversie (and Kim Helmer); Grandchildren, Melissa Saindon and Josh Traversie; Great Grandchildren, Taylor Saindon, Trey Traversie, Trenton Traversie, Toryn Traversie (and Riley Herron) and Brezlin Eller; Great-Great Grandchildren Gracie and Winter Herron Gloria will be fondly remembered by the many nieces and nephews who she loved.
The family is so grateful to the ones who took special care of Gloria in these past years. Thank you so very much.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kinkadefunerals.com.