Gloria Mae was born March 3, 1937 in rural Kandiyohi County to Martin and Hilda (Hebrink) Kamstra. She lived on the family farm south of Priam and attended the Priam county school. She was united in marriage to Alvin Earl Epema on June 11, 1954. Alvin did carpentry work and later started his own company, Epema Construction. Gloria was a stay at home mom. In later years she often painted for other people and always kept the books for the construction company. Willmar Christian Reformed Church was a very important part of their lives and Gloria was a Sunday School teacher and served in leadership roles in the Ladies Aid Society. Alvin and Gloria served as Foster Parents for Kandiyohi County for 25 years, fostering 36 toddlers and infants over the years. Once Alvin retired they spent many winters in Florida and Gloria continued to winter there after Alvin passed away. Gloria loved gardening and her walks in the country. She loved being outdoors. She was always busy and a very hard worker. Family was important to her.

Gloria is survived by two sons, Michael Epema of Sioux Center, Iowa, and Randall (and Kim) Epema of Newaygo, Michigan; two daughters, Gwendolyn (and Neil) Kraay of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Melanie (and Leon) of Des Moines, Iowa. Also surviving are eight grandchildren, Colin (and Sarah) Kraay, Lindsey (and Bryan) Haley, Shelly (and Luke) Vande Zande, Justin (and Heather) Negen, Adam (and Cassidy) Negen, Katie (and Mark) Ahring, Haley Epema, and Jonah Epema. There are also 16 great grandchildren. Also surviving are two of Gloria' sisters Florence Visser, Jane Ronning, and one brother Clinton (and Linda) Kamstra, all of Willmar, a brother-in law Merle (and Rose) Epema, of Clara City, brother-in-law Melvin (and Judy) Zuidema, of Roseland, a sister-in law Helen (and Stan) Hoekstra, of Roseland, Lorraine (and Dennis) DeGrote, of Clara City, and many nieces and nephews. Gloria was preceded in death by her parents, brother Milton (and Phyllis) Kamstra, sisters Mathilda (and Bob) Campbell, Vivian (and Elmer) Blom, brothers-in-law David Visser, Richard (and Marion) and sister-in-law Jessie Zuidema.