Gloria Jean (Hartman) Aylesworth

Gloria Aylesworth passed away peacefully on September 5, 2023 surrounded by her family.

Memorial Services will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, September 8, 2023 at Olson-Schwartz Funeral Home, Bemidji. Family will greet friends one half hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Gloria was born on April 10, 1933 to Andrew and Emma (Bliss) Hartman at home in Pennington, MN. She lived and attended school there until the age of 10 when the family moved to Bemidji.

On August 26,1953 Gloria married Robert Aylesworth. They lived for a short time in Rapid City, SD while Bob was stationed at Ellsworth AFB. Upon his discharge from the Airforce, the couple returned to Bemidji where they remained.

Gloria worked as a waitress in a few of downtown Bemidji’s bustling restaurants. She gained a following among locals, some of whom she lovingly referred to as “old duffers.” She enjoyed bringing coffee and a smile to her customers and was a caring listener as they shared their joys and sorrows with her. In her later years, she drove test cars for MDR and particularly enjoyed the big diesel pickups. She was also well known as the friendly greeter at Walmart, who gave out hugs and smiles.

Gloria loved sewing and made dozens of baby quilts for family and friends. She was a member of the Fire Dept Auxiliary, taught Sunday school at the Presbyterian church, volunteered with a number of local groups and traveled extensively across the US.

Gloria is survived by her three children, Harold (Noemi) Aylesworth, James (Evy) Aylesworth both of Bemidji and Robin Paradise of Point Pleasant, NJ; grandchildren, Ryan (Abby) Aylesworth, April Aylesworth, Genevieve (Brendan) Atwood, Paraic O’Reilly and step-grandchildren Craig (Carol) Goplin and Erik (Amy) Goplin and great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and her two remaining siblings,  John Hartman and Severt Weme.

Memorials are preferred to the Salvation Army.

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