Gloria Mae Clark

Gloria “Tootsie” M. Clark, 93 of Two Harbors, died Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at Waterview Shores.

Gloria was born September 27, 1932 to Norman Sr. and Zelpha (Birdsill) Thorson in Clifton Township, WI. The family purchased a dairy farm in Exeland, WI in 1947 which is where she met her future husband, Willard Clark. The two were married January 27, 1952, a wedding which had to be moved up due to Willard’s draft into the US Army. They lived for a short time on her parents’ farm before moving to Superior, then Iron Junction, before settling in Two Harbors in 1964.

Gloria was a homemaker through the years but she also operated Harbor Car Wash and Bus Depot, worked in activities and laundry at the Sunrise Home, as a clerk in the gift shops for the Lake County Historical Society at the Lighthouse and Depot, and was a volunteer highway host at the information center.

She was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church and was active in the choir and quilting guild. Besides quilting, Gloria enjoyed crafting, cooking, playing piano, and in her younger days, oil painting. A former Avon lady, Gloria was the most beautiful and put together lady. From her hair, makeup and outfits she always looked on point. She made and designed a lot of her clothes too. Her fashion wardrobe was very impressive. She almost always excelled at everything she attempted to do whether it was a new complex intricate quilting design to cooking or baking anything, she had a gift for precision and making things perfect. She was never not working on a project and when it was done it was perfect. She will also be remembered for hosting the best holiday, birthday or barbecue parties for her family.

Gloria was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Willard; a son, John; and siblings George “LaMont”, Robert, and Norman Thorson Jr.

She is survived by her sons, Ricky (Brenda) and Bruce (Linda); grandchildren, Jesse, Shawn (Dawn), Faith, Hailey, Isaiah (Patty), LeeAnn and Hope; great-grandchildren, Landon, Evalyn, and Matthew; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Very special thank you to the entire Waterview skilled nursing facility and Moments Hospice team for the unconditional love, care and support they gave to Gloria and her entire family. You made Gloria look and feel like the queen she was up until the end!

Visitation will be from 10 AM until the 11 AM funeral service on Thursday, September 17, 2026 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Two Harbors. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery.