Gloria Mae Haskell

Gloria Mae Haskell passed away on 8/21/24 in Auburn, WA, she was 87 years old. Gloria was preceded in death by father Roy Haskell, mother Christina Haskell, and brother David Haskell. Gloria had 5 children, two of the children were adopted out to loving families at birth; Patti Lee Barker/Nelson (predeceased) and Lisa Jane Petorak/Ringus. Gloria is survived by her daughter Karen Rendel, son Thor Haarr, son Jim Peters, brother John Haskell, sister Joy Belle Bagley and 8 grandchildren.

Services will be held on Sept 3rd, 2024. Viewing will be open between 10am – 12pm at Powers Funeral Home, Puyallup. Graveside service will start at 1pm at Sumner Cemetery.

Gloria had a memory book where she wrote about her family, childhood, and favorite things. Below is an excerpt from her book.

Memory Book Excerpt

I was born on March 3rd, 1937, in Edmonton, Alberta Canada. I was told that I was named Gloria because there were pink morning glories growing outside the windows and I was pink all over.

Family

Mother: Christina May Haskell (Thomson) Father: Roy Lee Haskell

My parents met when my mother heard about this young, dashing, twenty-three-year-old man holding service at church (in west Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) and she went to investigate! They were married on July 21st, 1935. My father was a Baptist preacher and worked at Boeing.

Siblings: David Haskell, John Haskell, Joy Belle Bagley (Haskell)

My grandparents (on my mother’s side) were Carl Christian Thomson and Myrtle Dora Thomson (Gainer). Carl was from Denmark and Myrtle from West Virginia. They settled in Idaho – Lewiston, Clarkston. Homesteaded in Bestville, Saskatchewan, Canada. Carl earned a living through wheat farming.

My grandparents (on my father’s side) were Joseph Rex Haskell and Francis Belle (Fannie) McCart.

Childhood

As a young girl, my family lived in Spokane, Hillyard district – 2602 E Rowan. We lived in a 2- story house, built in 1908, it had white and green shutters. I went to school in Arlington between Kindergarten and eighth grade. I flunked math and I did not like Mrs. Rapp or Mrs. Nyons. Ugg! I liked music, art, P.E., and reading. When I was in school my ambition was to be a missionary with my teacher at Sunday school. Her name was Bessy Russell. She was a missionary in Japan and I wanted to go with her.

I was the daughter of a Baptist preacher. At home I was expected not to fight with David or Joy Belle, to do the dishes, be a good girl, and obey my parents. My parents were strict about not dancing, not going to the movies and I had to be quiet in church. I could not wear lipstick, was to stay away from boys, and learn bible verses. I had to behave good for the company and could not wear jeans or shorts.

As a teenager, it was so fun! I had no worries or cares. I would go to slumber parties and to the Freezer in Hillard where I would get cherry cokes and french fries. I had a lot of friends. It was the best years of my life – until I met Jesus.

Some of my favorite things when I was young:

Song: Blue Velvet – Elvis Presley

Movie: The Thing, a monster movie. The only one I saw as a teenager.

Book: Black Beauty – A horse story.

Radio: The Shadow. Amos & Andy, & Roy (dad’s) Christian radio program. Season: Summer

Vacation Spot: Hillyard Pool, Newman Lake, Lake Couer d'Alene.

Holiday: Christmas

Flower: Butter cup. First spring flower. The fields were yellow then.

Color: Blue

Sport: Swimming & roller skating.

Food: Pepsi Cola, Pralines (candy), Chicken, Potatoes, & Gravy

School: Art and Music.

Friends: Carol Daugherty & Kay Adams.

Gloria’s daughter, Karen, remembers her talking about how much she loved all the church activities, church picnics, and get togethers in the park. She loved the home meetups with gospel singing in the house.