Gloria June Moline Avant

April 7, 1925 – May 31, 2019

Gloria June Avant, age 94, passed away peacefully with her family by her side.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter Moline and Helen Grampp Moline.

Gloria was born and raised in central Illinois surrounded by family and friends.  She graduated as Valedictorian at Minonk High School and won numerous state piano awards.  Gloria attended Northwestern University in Chicago where she, with the major in music, graduated with honors.   Gloria was also a proud member of the Kappa Delta sorority which she continued to support after graduation.

Her life- long love of music led her to her career as a high school choir teacher.  Gloria's classes received numerous performance awards.  She directed many different musicals including her favorite:  Amal and the Night Visitors (a Christmas story).

Gloria first met Jerry Avant in Sandwich, Illinois sharing a table at a diner during lunch.  After a short courtship, they married on December 26, 1949. Gloria continued to teach until they began a family.

Jerry's jobs in the oil and gas industry led the family to reside in Dallas, Pittsburgh, Houston and San Antonio.    She was a devoted mother to three boys.  She encouraged and attended every educational, music and sports events.

Throughout her life, Gloria was sustained by her strong love for the Lord.  She was very active at her church, Kinsmen Lutheran, of which she and Jerry were members since 1977.  She was a constant in the choir for decades and also performed in the bell choir. Gloria and Jerry taught an adult Sunday school class (Avant small group) for years.  She talked fondly of her great friends from church including The Nifty Niners.

After retirement, Gloria and Jerry enjoyed their involvement in their community and charities.  They both volunteered at hospitals and especially enjoyed their time in the nursery.  This prepared them for their 9 grandchildren. Gloria loved spending time with her grandchildren.

Gloria and Jerry loved to travel after retirement including trips to Hawaii, the Mediterranean and Alaska.  One of her favorite trips was to Sweden to visit the community in which her grandparents grew up.  During their travel, they found the family church and some "distant" relatives.

Gloria is survived by her beloved husband of 69 years, Jerry, and by her sons:  Robert and wife Bethany and children Tessa, Corey, and Abby of Houston; Richard and wife Heather and children Christopher and Donald of The Woodlands; and Michael and wife Virginia and children Walter (and wife Kelsey), Daniel (and wife Haley), Sarah, and Rebecca of Houston; and her brother-in-law Roy Avant and wife Johnette of Louisiana.

The family would like to thank all those who loved and cared for Gloria, including the caregivers from Right at Home, C&S Healthcare, and Hospice Plus.

The following services celebrating her life are:

Visitation:  Wednesday June 5th from 5-8pm at Klein Funeral Home 16131 Champions Forest Drive.

Celebration Church Service:  Thursday June 6th at noon at Kinsmen Lutheran Church 12100 Champions Forest Drive.  A reception at the church will follow.

The burial, after the reception, will be at Klein Cemetery at 9714 FM 2920.

Flowers are of course welcome but memorial contributions to Northwest Assistance Ministries, Kinsmen Lutheran Church, or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.