Gloria Laverne Hauck

Gloria believed Holland Lake was where God took his vacation. She loved the lake; she loved the cabin; she hated the mice and wasn’t thrilled about boating. For her, Holland Lake was the gathering spot for her family and friends and she was always ready to socialize and entertain. Attending the Condon Fourth of July parade was a great joy.

She held her own children and all children in the highest regard. She listened, encouraged and nurtured her grandchildren and always had the pantry full of their favorite treats. She nurtured and raised two children and extended that love to countless others. She always had time for people, adults and children alike.

Gloria was a gentle, loyal friend and wonderful mother and wife. She would forgive anyone anything, stating “they were probably just tired.” It was this special wisdom and zeal for life that made her admired and loved.

She passed away peacefully on Dec. 27, 2011, after a courageous four-year battle with cancer and Alzheimer’s. She was born in Minneapolis on Aug. 22, 1928, to Walter and Dorothy Dempsey. She moved to Missoula as a freshman in high school where she met the love of her life, Phil “Hot Lips” Hauck. She graduated from the University of Montana with a degree in business, and she and Phil were married in 1952. They settled in Helena and raised two charming, intelligent, good-looking, academically gifted and astoundingly successful children, Pam and Phil, who married, and in turn produced five charming, intelligent, good-looking, academically gifted and astoundingly successful grandchildren: Courtney, Ryan, Cole, Sara and Dugan. Gloria was employed with the Department of Rehabilitation as a program manager. Upon retirement, Gloria and Phil enjoyed extensive travel including numerous trips throughout the United States, Canada, Ireland and Austria.

She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Phil; daughter, Pam (Greg) Sheridan of Sammamish, Wash.; and son, Phil (Karry) Hauck of Helena; as well as her grandchildren, Cole Sheridan, Sara (Adam) Jack, Dugan (Audrey) Sheridan, Courtney Hauck and Ryan Hauck. She is also survived by her sister, Dolores Wright-Vallaster; brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Kathleen Hauck; sister-in-law, Carole Callas; and cherished great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A memorial Mass will be held for Gloria at noon, Friday, Jan. 6, at the Cathedral of St. Helena with a luncheon reception immediately following. Memorials in Gloria’s name are suggested to St. Peter’s Hospice or St. Peter’s Cancer Treatment Center, c/o St. Peter’s Hospital Foundation, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601; or the Cathedral of St. Helena, 530 N. Ewing St., Helena, MT 59601.