Gloria Kiefer

Gloria Mae Volquardsen Smith Kiefer, 88, of Bremen, was taken to heaven on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. at her home.

Gloria was born on Aug. 10, 1936, in White River, S.D., to Martin Carl Volquardsen and Myrtle Florence Davenport. Her parents brought her to Bremen when she was six months old, where she resided for the rest of her lifetime. She attended St. Paul’s Lutheran School for eight years where she came to know Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She graduated from Bremen High School, where she served as vice president and played clarinet in the band, she was a member of mixed chorus, Tri-Hi-Y, and performed in the junior and senior plays.

She worked for many years as secretary at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and the office of Charles E. Hassel, DDS, and some years at St. Christopher’s Workshop in Bremen and the Oliver Corp. in South Bend. She was an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, an alumni member of Theta Delta Phi chapter of Psi Iota Xo Sorority, the Bremen Library Readers discussion group, Bremen Hospital Auxiliary and an auxiliary member of Gideons International.

She enjoyed counted cross-stitch, knitting, reading and crossword puzzles in her spare time.

She was blessed to have been married to two loving, Christian men. On Dec. 19, 1953, she married Benjamin Earl Smith, who preceded her in death on Sept. 29, 2009. On Jan. 1, 2014, she married Henry W. Kiefer.

She is survived by one daughter, Pamela (Tom) Reed, of Syracuse; one son, Michael (Melanie) Smith, of Pierceton; three stepsons, John (Sandy) Kiefer, of Bremen, James (Melody) Kiefer, of Elk Rapids, Mich., David (Beth) Kiefer, of Birmingham, Mich.; and daughter-in-law, Debbie Smith, of Creedmor, N.C. Also surviving are her grandchildren, Tabitha Varma, Heather (George) Just, Williard Lewis, Jeanette Lewis, Zachery Lewis, Ryan (Laurel) Norsmith, Michelle (Skyler) Shenefield, Brett (Dessiree) Smith, Lisa (Kanaan) Kochenspager, Brianna Smith, Hannah Kiefer, Seth (Sarah) Kiefer, Deidre (Chris Kamrath) Kiefer, Meredith (Josh) Stidham, Claire, Katherine and Lillian Kiefer; and nine great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Benjamin Smith; son, Patrick; and one sister, Alice Vernasco.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26, at Mishler Funeral Home, 2030 SR 331, Bremen. Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 605 S. Center St., Bremen. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to St Paul’s Lutheran Church and School. Online condolences may be sent to the family at mishlerfuneralhomes.com.