Published 5:30 pm Tuesday, June 11, 2024 By austinsubmitted Gloria J. Mallory, 77 Gloria Jean Mallory, 77, died peacefully at Mayo Clinic Methodist Hospital on Saturday, June 8, 2024 surrounded by her husband and three children. Gloria was born April 15, 1947 in Albert Lea, Minnesota to parents Merle and Myrtle (Johanson) Hatle.
Her father, Merle, called the birth of his only daughter a “glorious day,” which led to why they named her Gloria. Gloria grew up on a farm in rural Adams, Minnesota. She often joked about the rigors of farm life and pulling double duty when she would help her mom with all the daily household chores and then help her dad outside as a farm hand.
She graduated from Adams High School in 1965 and attended beauty/cosmetology school after graduation. On October 11, 1969, she married Robert “Bob” Mallory and the couple resided in Austin, Minnesota. They met at the Mower County Fair in 1964.
They were both looking forward to celebrating 55 years of marriage in the fall. Gloria spent her life making people look and feel beautiful as a cosmetologist for more than 50 years. She owned and operated her own hair salon for 45 years, and loved her career and her customers.
Gloria was on the homecoming court and won local beauty pageants and was crowned Queen of Mower County. She was a member of 4H and an accomplished seamstress who won awards for designing and sewing her own clothes. Gloria was proud of being a successful business owner, but she would tell yo.