Gloria Jane Medenwaldt was the youngest daughter of Alfred and Grace (Ziegelmann) Medenwaldt, born April 7, 1943, in Hankinson, ND. She was baptized on May 2, 1943, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hankinson by Rev. Gerhard C. Michael and confirmed in the same church on April 14, 1957, by Rev. Michael. She graduated from Immanuel Lutheran School on May 24, 1957, then continued her education at Hankinson High School. Before graduating from high school, she met and fell in love with Robert (Bob) Silvernail. They were married on December 22, 1959, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hankinson by Pastor Otto N. Truog. Together, they had four daughters, Terri, Cindy, Kimberly, and Lisa. When scolding one of her daughters for some misdeed that had just taken place, but confused by who exactly committed the atrocity, she would shout out each girl’s name, in birth order, followed by “…. You know who you are!”. Gloria and Bob divorced in 1975.
After her divorce, Gloria and three of her daughters moved to Traverse City, Michigan. It was there, at a Parents Without Partners meeting, that she met Joseph (Joe) Smith. She and Joe quickly knew that they belonged together, and were married on June 11, 1983, at St. Michaels Lutheran Church in Traverse City.
She and Joe spent many years traveling around the United States enjoying their passion for antique shows. They eventually planted roots in Milo, Missouri where Joe built them a cozy home in the country to enjoy their retirement years. Joe passed away on July 19, 2013, shortly after he and Gloria celebrated their 30th anniversary. Gloria remained in the home that Joe built for her and kept herself busy with a thriving little business of selling used books through Amazon.
Besides her husband, Joe, Gloria was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Glen Medenwaldt, her sister, Gayle Ahrens, and the father of her daughters, Bob Silvernail.
She is survived by her daughters: Terri (Barry) Weispfenning of Minnetonka, MN, Cindy Silvernail of Milo, Mo, Kimberly Silvernail of Wahpeton, ND, and Lisa (Jim) Hillyer of Bennington, OK; 3 step-children: David Smith, Joseph Smith Jr, and Kristine Smith, 10 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, a brother, Alfred Medenwaldt Jr, Wahpeton, ND, a sister-in-law, Doris Medenwaldt, N. Smithfield, RI, and many nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind a large circle of friends including (but not limited to) Ray Smith, Wally Hughes, Norm Rinnels, and her very best friend since childhood, Patricia Wiebusch.
The family would like to give our heartfelt gratitude to Butler (Missouri) Hospice for the loving care they gave our mom throughout her final days, and also to the staff at the Mercy Hospitals in Carthage and Springfield, Missouri.
If you would like to honor mom’s memory, in lieu of flowers, please contribute to your favorite charity under her name.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the Spring of 2026 in Hankinson, ND.
