Gloria Mae Briden

Gloria’s service will be livestreamed and viewable below on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at 6:00 PM.

Gloria Mae Briden, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on July 19, 2026, at the age of 96.

Gloria Mae Berg was born on April 11, 1930, in Marshall County, Minnesota, to Carl Martin Berg and Jerrena Wiertzema Berg. She spent her early childhood in Northwood, North Dakota, before her family moved to rural Crookston, Minnesota during her teenage years.

Following her graduation from Central High School in Crookston, Gloria pursued her passion for cosmetology by attending the New York Hairdressing Academy in Fargo, North Dakota, where she earned her cosmetology license. She returned to Crookston to begin her career at Lou’s Beauty Shop.

On October 30, 1949, Gloria married the love of her life, William Henry Briden, beginning a marriage filled with love, faith, and partnership. Together they built a beautiful life and were soon blessed with three children, Jim, Janet, and Mark, becoming a family of five. Gloria spent many happy years raising her three children before returning to work part-time at Esther’s Beauty Shop, where she enjoyed visiting with customers and making lasting friendships.

Retirement brought new adventures for Gloria and Bill. For more than thirty years, they wintered at the Tropic Star Retirement Community in Pharr, Texas, where they embraced the community and all it had to offer. Gloria enjoyed ceramics, Bible study, doll-making, sewing, shopping trips to Mexico, dinners with friends, and searching for hidden treasures at flea markets with Bill. The friendships they formed there remained dear to them throughout their lives, and they treasured the many visits from their children and grandchildren.

Later, Gloria and Bill made their home in Sabin, Minnesota. Gloria found great joy in life’s simple pleasures,reading, tending her beautiful flower gardens, traveling to classic car shows, and spending cherished time with family and friends. She and Bill were devoted members of the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion in Rollag for more than sixty years, faithfully attending each Labor Day weekend. Gloria and her daughter-in-law, Lynette, were proud to start the soap-making demonstration at Rollag, sharing their knowledge and creativity with countless visitors.WMSTR became much more than an annual event; it was a place where lifelong friendships were nurtured, traditions were celebrated, and treasured family memories were made across generations.

(Grandma) Gloria was a cornerstone of Casey Jo’s Catering from its very beginning. With loving hands and a servant’s heart, she peeled countless eggs, wrapped endless sets of silverware, served at events, and quietly stepped in wherever she was needed. Her support, strong work ethic, and generous spirit helped build the foundation of our business. Her love and legacy will continue to be a part of Casey Jo’s Catering for years to come.

Above all else, Gloria’s faith in Jesus Christ was the foundation of her life. She lived with quiet strength, kindness, and trust in the Lord. She was a faithful prayer warrior who lifted up her family, friends, neighbors and strangers in prayer! Her greatest comfort was knowing that this life was not the end, but the beginning of eternity with her Savior. Her family finds peace in knowing she has been joyfully reunited with Bill and with loved ones who went before her, welcomed into her eternal home.

Gloria will be remembered for her gentle heart, strong faith, and the countless memories she created with those she loved.

She is lovingly remembered by her children: Jim Briden of Moorhead, Minnesota; Janet Briden of Chico, California, along with dear family friend Claudia Beaty; and Mark Briden of Redding, California. She also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren: Markell (Aric) Saign, Tracy Griffis, and Beth (Blake) Jegtvig; and her beloved great-grandchildren: Kenneth Griffis, Jack Griffis, Cash Jegtvig, and Judson Jegtvig.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, William Henry Briden; her parents, Carl and Jerrena Berg; her brother, Allen Berg; her daughter-in-law, Lynette Briden; her grandson, Casey Briden; and her great-grandson; Casey Jo Briden.

A Celebration of Gloria’s Life will be held on Thursday, July 30, 2026, with visitation from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., followed by the memorial service at 6:00 p.m. A meal will be served immediately following the service.