Gloria Mae Virak's Obituary
Gloria Mae Virak was born to Edward and Caroline Jutte on November 27, 1930, in Genesee, Idaho. She joined her brother Wayne, aged 11, and her sister Grace, aged 9. A close community of extended family and friends surrounded her. Gloria was the valedictorian of her high school class and attended Pacific Lutheran College, where she got her B.A. in Education in 1952. She did graduate work at Washington State University before teaching in the Tacoma School District. On June 19, 1954, she married Roy H. Virak and moved to Seattle where Roy was finishing medical school. Her first daughter, Debbi, was born in Aug 1955. The family lived in New Mexico and then Montana where her second daughter, Dana, was born in June 1959. The family moved back to Tacoma in 1960.
Gloria valued service and was active in many groups including several education associations, and national, state, and county Medical Association Auxiliaries. She was an active PTA member and taught Brownies and Girl Scouts for years. Gloria served her community through the American Lutheran Church Women, the Westgate and University Place Orthopedic Guilds, and Lutheran Community Services Inc. Gloria also served on the board of both Good Samaritan Hospital and the Tacoma Lutheran Home and Retirement Community. Gloria was widowed in August 1993. While on a European trip with friends, she met Gene G. Zimmerman from Pennsylvania. After a bit of long-distance dating, they married in September 1996. Gloria embraced Gene’s children Loni and Craig and their families as her own. Gloria and Gene moved to Sequim, WA, and enjoyed years of world travel. Gloria was widowed again in 2017. In 2020, encouraged by her daughters, Gloria moved into a cottage at Mallard’s Landing in Gig Harbor, WA, and found new friends and new opportunities to serve her community.
Gloria had a strong faith and was a member of the local Lutheran church wherever she lived. She was most recently a member of Peninsula Lutheran Church, Gig Harbor. Gloria was a skilled seamstress, gardener, and cook, but to many she was known for her delicious cookies. In her later years, she enjoyed puzzles, reading, and needlework. Gloria was a lifelong avid sports fan including the Pacific Luther University’s Lutes, the Mariners, and Seahawks to name a few.
Gloria is fondly remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She is survived by, Debra (Virak) Robertson (Gary), Dana (Virak) McClain (Kevin), Loni (Zimmerman) Buck, Craig Zimmerman (Pam), and her beloved grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. A celebration of life for Gloria will be held at Mountain View Funeral Home, Tacoma, on July 25 at 1:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to Peninsula Lutheran Church building fund or the charity of your choice.
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